After several line-up changes in the past year, Of Mice & Men are back together with a nearly original line-up and are stronger than ever before. Since Austin Carlile's departure early last year, the band have toured strenuously with ex-Sky Eats Airplanes vocalist Jerry Roush. However, the start of 2011 proved to be a historic one in the bands history, as Austin Carlile took up the offer put forward by the band and label Rise Records to create a sophomore album.
The opening track 'O.G Loko' summarises what Of Mice & Men is truly about. It's very similar to the last album, but works perfectly as a transition between the two albums, as we soon see a very different side to Of Mice & Men in 'The Flood'. The second track, 'Ben Threw' (no, that's not a typo) also emphasises Carlile's vocal ability. His high pitched screams are present in almost every song in the album, and he even has a few soft melodic vocals in this record. 'Ben Threw' is followed by 'Let Live' - which captures the gem which is Shayley Bourget. His vocals in the whole album are outstanding, but 'Let Live' truly sets Of Mice & Men apart from any other post-hardcore band out there.
Carlile's screaming ability is once again pushed to the limit during the song 'Still YDG'n' - and his lyrical prowess is outstanding. The lyrics are so real, full of raw passion. The surprise track in this record, 'My Understandings' does not fail to disappoint. Austin Carlile's high pitched screams are excluded, and it leaves Shayley Bourget to shine as one of the best vocalists in the metal industry. The next track, 'Ohioisonfire' according to rumours is a little dig at Carlile's old band, Attack Attack!, but away from the meaning of the lyrics, this song is one of the best on the album, and one of the heaviest. Carlile's searing vocals throughout the album just go to prove that Of Mice & Men are an extremely talented bunch of musicians. 'Ohioisonfire', along with 'Product Of A Murderer' and 'The Great Hendowski' are all mosh pit inducing tracks, which are sure to pump plenty of energy into Of Mice & Men live shows.
Overall, this album is one of the best releases of the year. With heavy breakdowns and riffs in tracks such as 'Product Of A Murderer' and 'I'm A Monster,' followed by soothing tracks in the album such as 'When You Can't Sleep At Night' (Bonus Track), Of Mice & Men certainly did not disappoint critics who were merely waiting to see if this album would make it into stores. Well, it did. Look who's laughing now.
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Carlile's screaming ability is once again pushed to the limit during the song 'Still YDG'n' - and his lyrical prowess is outstanding. The lyrics are so real, full of raw passion. The surprise track in this record, 'My Understandings' does not fail to disappoint. Austin Carlile's high pitched screams are excluded, and it leaves Shayley Bourget to shine as one of the best vocalists in the metal industry. The next track, 'Ohioisonfire' according to rumours is a little dig at Carlile's old band, Attack Attack!, but away from the meaning of the lyrics, this song is one of the best on the album, and one of the heaviest. Carlile's searing vocals throughout the album just go to prove that Of Mice & Men are an extremely talented bunch of musicians. 'Ohioisonfire', along with 'Product Of A Murderer' and 'The Great Hendowski' are all mosh pit inducing tracks, which are sure to pump plenty of energy into Of Mice & Men live shows. 
