THE MICE – For Almost Ever

Originally released in 1985, the debut EP by The Mice still stands as one of the finer song-oriented rock records of that era. Drawing inspiration from both mid 1960s British Invasion groups and the energy of punk, For Almost Ever is about as scorching as an essentially pop record can be. Although vocalist / guitarist Bill Fox would go on to release several much-loved mostly acoustic solo records, here he is joined by his younger brother Tommy, a veritable monster on the drum kit, bashing away with both finesse and the manic energy of a high school kid. And let’s talk about the song “Not Proud of the USA.” Conceived as an answer to The Clash’s “I’m So Bored with the USA,” this track is packed with such overwhelming hooks, righteousness, and adrenaline that it’s irresistible. During the war in Iraq, it took on a new life on college radio and online when it was reissued on CD. And with this vinyl reissue, it would seem the timing is sadly spot-on once again. Mastered by John Golden, this new pressing crackles with The Mice’s spirit, reproduced in big 45 rpm sound for deeper low end and greater definition than the original, which has been commanding a steep price for quite a while now. We’ve also been able to restore the colors of the hand-colored cover photograph to their original vibrancy. Trouser Press writes: For Almost Ever is a near-perfect rush of giddy, catchy, explosive rock, casting shades of the Who, Only Ones, Buzzcocks, Jam and Beatles with the exuberance of a five-year-old who just got his first bicycle for Christmas. The buzzy, chiming guitars of vocalist and principal songwriter Bill Fox get a propulsive jolt from the hyperactive drumming of his little brother Tommy Fox, who was all of 15 at the time. With bassist Ken Hall filling out the lineup, the six-song 12-inch mixes straightforward love songs with an aggressive, pointed political number (“Not Proud of the USA”) and the slower, nearly dirgelike “Catacombs,” revealing a band with the chops to expand beyond its punky power pop roots.