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Mates of State

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 22, 2002)
• Original Release Date: January 22, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Polyvinyl Records
• ASIN: B00005YDXE
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #71,380 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Kansas Kids Break It Out, January 9, 2004

By	A. Seuthe (United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Mates of State are a keyboard and drums duo. No guitar, no bass. With that said, they still have a classic pop sound. They charmingly layer the vocals the two singers in a Beatlesque manner and their songs jump about between various hooks and bridges like the Beach Boys on speed. Some people may find this annoying if it's not their bag. But if you're not put off by energetic gleeful melodies you should certainly check out this band. If you're into Beulah or New Pornographers this group makes them seem relatively traditional and calm.

A definite listen is required before purchase. I can understand why this music might rub people the wrong way, the same way a bright light can hurt your eyes. But for people who love to bask in melodic sunlight, ENJOY!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An amateurish presentation of intriguing musical concepts, May 19, 2004

By	Brian Patrick (Chicago IL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Mates of State might best be described as a very talented garage band. They are not highly skilled musicians or vocalists, but they are obviously talented songwriters. What they lack in finesse, and for that matter what the album lacks in production quality, is more than made up for by the arrangements.

One can't help but be impressed by the wall of sound this married-couple duo builds with just two instruments and two voices. And it's not just a noisy sound, though it is enthusiastic on the verge of grating. Jason Hammel mercilessly pounds out rhythms on the drums while Kori Gardner employs the full range of her old-school Yamaha keyboard to good effect. And those wailing vocal harmonies -- they yell together at the top of their lungs, yet the vocals never become gravelly or rough.

It all comes together to form a simple yet well-layered sound with infectious hooks and ecstatic melodies. A bit more polish would turn this quite-good album into to a great album.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars MOS rock, September 17, 2003

By	M. Nix "teleplayer" (Louisville, KY.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Ok, the MOS write cool keyboardy pop songs with fun vocals... The key word here is fun. Ok, they aren't Radiohead, the other reviews who gave one star need to feel music and not come into something expecting things. They weren't ready for the Mates of State. They rule!