The current line-up consists of Phil Manansala (guitar), Valentino Arteaga (ex. Lower Definition; drums), Aaron Pauley (ex. Jamie's Elsewhere; vocals/bass guitar) and Alan Ashby (guitar).
Shortly after forming, Carlile and Hall enlisted the help of Though She Wrote to create their first collaborative demo track "Seven Thousand Miles for What?" and later began recruiting the remaining band members.
After a short time, original guitarist Jon Kintz was replaced, solidifying the line up with Valentino Arteaga on drums, Shayley Bourget (ex. Covette) on guitar and vocals, and Phil Manansala (ex. A Static Lullaby) on guitar. The band then set about creating their self-titled debut album, released in March 2010 via Rise Records.
After heart surgery ahead of a gruelling tour schedule and growing tensions within the band forced Carlile to step down, former Sky Eats Airplane vocalist Jerry Roush took up his duties in 2010. This sparked a string of line-up changes that saw the departure of founding member Jaxin Hall, movement of Bourget from rhythm guitar to bass, the recruitment of an entirely new member in Alan Ashby and culminating in Carlile's return to the mic in 2011.
Between touring that year the band completed work on their sophomore effort, The Flood which would later be reissued in a deluxe format featuring 4 extra tracks in 2012. Early that year Bourget left the band due to personal issues and at present Carlile has taken over all vocal duties.
Third album is called Restoring Forces debut in 2014.
Austin Carlile left the band in 2016, months after their fourth album "Cold World" was released.
Since 2009, the band has released six studio albums: Of Mice & Men (2010), The Flood (2011), Restoring Force (2014), Cold World (2016), Defy (2018), and Earthandsky (2019)
Vertigo
Of Mice & Men Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The steps I retrace
The ground feels like an ocean
Writhing in pain, I try to explain
The words just come out
Broken like the limbs we used to crawl
With hopeful eyes, into the sun
Drifting in the tide, in the undertow, undertow
Slowly going blind in the afterglow, afterglow
I am falling faster, vertigo, vertigo
Learning how to hold on, by letting go, letting go
Vertigo, vertigo
My spinning satellite head
Disoriented
It gravitates and spirals
To find you instead, a means to an end
A force that conquers
Broken moons and hollow worlds
Suspended, motionless, collapse and coalesce
My equilibrium sent to oblivion
Drifting in the tide, in the undertow, undertow
Slowly going blind in the afterglow, afterglow
I am falling faster, vertigo, vertigo
Learning how to hold on, by letting go, letting go
Vertigo
How can you say that everything is meaningless
When we are the product of such a random disaster?
Drifting in the tide, in the undertow, undertow
Slowly going blind in the afterglow, afterglow
I am falling faster, vertigo, vertigo
I'm learning how to hold on, by letting go, letting go
Vertigo, vertigo, vertigo, vertigo
The lyrics to Of Mice & Men's song Vertigo describe a feeling of disorientation and instability caused by overwhelming emotions. The opening lines of "motion, breaking the space, the steps I retrace" suggest a sense of confusion and hesitation, as if the singer is uncertain about where to go or what to do. The following lines describe a feeling of physical pain ("the ground feels like an ocean, writhing in pain") that is difficult to articulate ("I try to explain, the words just come out broken").
The chorus, with its repeated use of the word "vertigo," drives home the sense of disorientation and instability. The singer feels like they are falling ("I am falling faster") and losing their sense of self ("my equilibrium becomes delirium," "my equilibrium sent to oblivion"). The lines "learning how to hold on, by letting go" suggest that the singer is trying to regain their sense of balance and stability by surrendering control and letting themselves fall.
The ending lines of the song pose a philosophical question: "how can you say that everything is meaningless when we are the product of such a random disaster?" This suggests a struggle to make sense of the chaos and unpredictability of the world, and an acknowledgement that there may be some deeper meaning or purpose behind it all.
Line by Line Meaning
Motion, breaking the space
The feeling of moving forward, even though there is distance in the way.
The steps I retrace
Trying to find the way back or repeating mistakes in life.
The ground feels like an ocean
Feeling of instability or insecurity in life.
Writhing in pain, I try to explain
Feeling of physical or emotional distress and trying to express it to others.
The words just come out
Expressing oneself without much thought or consideration.
Broken like the limbs we used to crawl
Feeling of being vulnerable or weak in life.
With hopeful eyes, into the sun
Feeling optimistic about the future and looking towards brighter days.
My equilibrium becomes delirium
The feeling of losing one's balance or stability in life.
Drifting in the tide, in the undertow, undertow
Feeling lost or directionless, being pulled along by the current of life.
Slowly going blind in the afterglow, afterglow
Gradually losing sight of what once seemed so clear or certain.
I am falling faster, vertigo, vertigo
Feeling overwhelmed and out of control, unable to keep pace with life's demands.
Learning how to hold on, by letting go, letting go
Finding balance in life by relinquishing control over certain situations.
My spinning satellite head
Feeling disconnected from reality, lost in one's own thoughts.
Disoriented
Feeling of confusion or discombobulation.
It gravitates and spirals
Feeling that life is out of control and spiraling outwards.
To find you instead, a means to an end
Seeking comfort or companionship as a way to cope with the challenges of life.
A force that conquers
Describing love or friendship as a powerful force that can overcome any obstacle.
Broken moons and hollow worlds
Reflecting on the fragility of life and the emptiness that can come from chasing after meaningless pursuits.
Suspended, motionless, collapse and coalesce
Feeling stuck or trapped in life, with no clear direction forward.
My equilibrium sent to oblivion
Feeling completely overwhelmed and off balance in life.
How can you say that everything is meaningless
Questioning the point of life and whether it has any inherent value or purpose.
When we are the product of such a random disaster?
Reflecting on the seemingly chaotic and unpredictable nature of life and the world we live in.
I'm learning how to hold on, by letting go, letting go
Realizing that sometimes the best thing to do in life is to let go of control and allow things to unfold as they will.
Vertigo, vertigo, vertigo, vertigo
A repeated reminder of the overwhelming feeling of confusion and imbalance conveyed throughout the song.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: AARON PAULEY, ALAN ASHBY, PHIL MANANSALA, VALENTINO ARTEAGA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SYTHEOPATH 1
So many fans sad that Austin left are blinded by his departure and don't truly admire the skill level that arron is performing at. Writing lyrics, playing bass, and performing ALL vocals simultaneously. Arguably the most talented member this band has ever seen and they don't even care.
Maggotsxcl
SYTHEOPATH 1 that’s true but it still sucks that austin is gone aha I have respect for him doing all that but I honestly feel this band is totally different now and doesn’t sound of mice and men anymore but the album is still really good
SYTHEOPATH 1
Gregory Gonzalez Ya I feel u. It's fair to say it doesn't sound the same. And I can't be mad that people may not like this sound from the band, but I definitely feel like people jump on here and comment shit like "rip OM&M and totally discredit Aaron's skill and hardwork. Like damn, he's been a member of this band for a while too. Show some respect lol
Living in False Eyes
Low-key been waiting for him to take over vocals ever since I learned he was in this band.
Or that he'd leave and start a new band :P
dimosrix
SYTHEOPATH 1 well i disagreeing with your opinion. Austin was great live. Im not the huge fan of them but the style of music they create is well lets say it like this the same every song sounds kinda 😒 well what ever
SYTHEOPATH 1
+dimosrix u just said u don't really like OMAnM. that's why I said "fans". plus Austin may be good live however he isn't that awesome of a screamer period. he lacks power. and aaron is a much better screamer, and he sings and plays bass. u can have an opinion but I'm not sure ur ooinion is relevant is here
Offizieller Kanal von Doggen - Tee ™
Overall, this album has the same OM&M- style but not as sad or dark as the other albums. It's like when a door closes, a window opens. And out from this window it shines bright and hopeful. Absolutely gorgeous efford!!
Ohio Bass Angler
Offizieller Kanal von Doggen - Tee ™ Nice reference. Definitely spot on my man.
ACE RHYTHM
they haven't been exciting like this since their debut lol
ganondorfchampin
This band has grown so much from their beginning. They've gotten so much more melodic and complex.