After releasing a cover of Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face” that went viral across the Internet, the hype train was essentially established for Of Mice & Men. The American metalcore band is, of course, sporting a much different look these days – with former Jamie’s Elsewhere vocalist Aaron Pauley handling both vocal duties rather impressively.
Before Aaron Pauley ever joined the band, though, the band released two well-received albums, including their self-titled record. Of Mice & Men, which was released on this day in 2010, is still a fan favorite album despite the band’s various lineup departures. That’s noted by both the number of solid songs on the record (“Seven Thousand Miles For What”, “Farewell To Shady Glade”), and the fact that album centerpiece “Second And Sebring” is still the band’s most-streamed song. Impressive.
Of course, the best was yet to come for the then-unproven band. While subsequent records have been slightly uneven (unfortunately, Cold World wasn’t too popular with the fanbase), this album’s 2011 follow-up in The Flood strongly improved on the foundation the self-titled album laid down. It’s still worth a listen now, if only to see where the band’s humble beginnings came from.
