Quiet as a Mouse – Is it Funny When it Hurts?

If you picked up Quiet as a Mouse’s debut expecting some acoustic tunes as the name might suggest then you're in for a surprise. Is it Funny When it Hurts? bursts into life with Accident Waiting to Happen (Awoo Woo Woo); full of edgy, noisy guitars it's a taste of things to come.

The Edinburgh band formed in 2012 and it's taken until now for them to produce a full length album via singles and an EP. It very much proves the saying that good things come to those who wait and it’s clear that plenty of time and attention has gone into getting Is it Funny when it Hurts? just the way the band want it. It’s not easy for a small band to fund albums and Quiet as a Mouse were successful in getting Creative Scotland funding so their sonic dreams could become reality.

Control Freak is a highlight here with its relaxed vibe and thoughtful lyrics. ‘I hope to see you soon / On my side of the moon / There’s always room on my side of the moon,' sings frontman Alex Moran over suitably atmospheric guitars. Lunar adventures aside, Dear LA sees the band’s heaviest moment to date with Graham Longbottom giving the drums a thrashing and driving the song before switching to a militaristic beat.

The lo-fi production, courtesy of Kris Pohl who has worked with Idlewild among others, provides the feeling of a live show, giving QAAM's Pixies-esque loud/quiet/loud dynamic an extra puch. Is it Funny When it Hurts? is a debut full of relaxed confidence and is a leap forward for the band. One thing’s for sure, this mouse can roar.

Listen to: Control Freak, Northern Rain, Accident Waiting to Happen (Awoo Woo Woo)