Mice Parade

Mice Parade

(FatCat)

Record Review by Alexis Roberts

Unbeknownst to me, and probably many other people, Mice Parade has quite the plethora of records out—prior to this self-titled release, six full-lengths, along with other little tidbits.  It is the solo project of Adam Pierce (HiM, Mum, The Swirlies, head honcho of Bubble Core records, garage studio installer, man of the renaissance, etc.).  What originated as his solo project morphed into something else which now features guest appearances from friends, which always makes for good times.

Just when you are starting to feel like you know Mice Parade, they change things up just to keep you guessing. The first four songs on the album are very unified and identifiable as all being played by the same band. They are really folksy songs with a twist of fast guitar strumming and complicated drumming patterns, which Pierce’s handsome voice lends it’s self to in the most tasteful fashion. So by now you may think that you have them pegged, but they change it up at the halfway mark. When the song “Double Dolphins on the Nickel” begins to play you start wondering what the hell is going on. “Is this some sort of split EP?” No, it’s not, and don’t let the creepy nature of this song frighten you away from Mice Parade. It’s just Kristin Anna Valtysdottir of Mum making a cameo vocal appearance. “Double Dolphins” may give you the chills but ultimately it is a beautifully thoughtful song, fully equipped with a verse in Icelandic. And we all love Iceland, don’t even deny it.

Other guests on Mice Parade’s Mice Parade include Doug Scharin, Dylan Critsy, Jay Israelson and Dan Lippel, which makes for an overall collectively interesting assortment of songs al on the same album. In addition to a diverse mix of musicians, a diverse mix of instruments is included and upon live performance you can expect to see nylon guitars, vibraphones and, according to their press release, “whatever or whomever else is available.” Well, Mice Parade, I am available and I play a pretty mean lap harp—what now?