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New awesomeness from the Bay Area's premier keyboard/drums/all-singing duo. Once again the Mates prove why they're one of the most exciting, original, and vibrant pop acts around. This 4-song EP is packed with all your favorite Mates traits: the rollicking and bleeping organ sounds; the powerhouse drumming; the energetic shout-along harmonies; the complex quick-change song structures; and the wonderfully oblique and poetic lyrics that range from tender to scathing. Whew! "Along for the Ride" brings a fuller, more layered sound, with the organ joined by Rhodes and acoustic (or maybe digital) piano and some additional voices, and even a touch of acoustic guitar, without losing the immediacy of their earlier releases. "Drop And Anchor" is a lovely piano ballad done Mates style. The final track is a fun cover of David Bowie's "Starman", and while it's not absolutely essential, you can basically consider it a cute B-side for a single with 3 top-notch A-sides. Do you need this if you're a Mates fan? Absolutely! And if you're not a Mates fan...what the heck is wrong with you? (mike.01.05)
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team boo • polyvinyl records • 2003
We just bought a new car, and this was the first CD we ever played in it! Therefore, in honor of this disc, we've christened the car "Boo". :)
But anyway, this CD? Is amazing! So many of the songs were familiar, and will be to anyone who's seen them live in the past year or so, but the production on these is excellent! Maybe the best of any of their releases. And there are new instruments added to the mix! A little trumpet here, a little viola there.
I think it's maybe even their most "mature" release, too. While there's definitely the driven, frenetic stuff we know and love from them, like the opening track "Ha Ha" and the totally schizoid "Fluke" with its disco four-to-the-floor beat, there are also slower, prettier tracks where Kori isn't shouting-singing, but instead exploring the different dynamics her voice can take. She sounds especially lovely in "Parachutes (Funeral Song)", which might be as close to a Mates-of-State-ballad as we'll ever get.
Interestingly, "Middle Is Gold" reminds me of Pinback, another copacetic-fave-band. (And, Pinback and Mates of State are friends, too. Apparently, Zach and Rob even performed at Kori and Jason's wedding! Lucky!) But the bass line that Kori plays with her keyboard sounds so Zach-esque to me! This is probably my favorite song on the whole CD, and the whole CD is just excellent.
And lastly, the refrain to "I Got This Feelin'" made me laugh for ages. I shout it out at random moments for no particular reason at all. (Oh, and the CD booklet design? Absolutely wonderful, with its separate lyric booklet and the origami project...has anyone made it yet?) (janice.09.03)
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our constant concern • polyvinyl records • 2001
I can't believe it's taken me so long to get around to reviewing this album since I've been crazy about it for some time now! Listening to it even inspired me to drag out our old Yamaha keyboard and start playing again. (Although I'm nowhere near as amazing as Kori.)
And what is it with me and bands that have married couples? It really seems like all my fave bands have married couples. Yo La Tengo. Low. Ida. Ivy. and now Mates of State!
So, this album is just amazing. I can't even begin to describe how amazing it is. I'm gonna try: Mates of State are Kori and Jason who play nothing but keyboards and drums. Simply amazing. Kinda reminds you of early Spinanes, with just Rebecca and Scott rocking out, yet creating this full, loud, rockin' noise. But this time with keyboards. It also reminds me a little of Suddenly, Tammy! (who I should really do a "Where Are They Now?" on...) since the keyboards lead the music, with no guitars present.
But, then there's their vocals! Sometimes they sing normally, but most of the time, they're shouting 'em out! And, of course, a lot of times, they're not even singing the same thing. But it works! And it works soooo beautifully!!!
I'm doing a lousy-as-heck job describing how genius this is. Just listen for yourself, and be shocked and amazed at the beautiful, melodic, gorgeous noise that two kids in love can make. It's wondrous! (janice.04.02)
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