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Album Details

• Artist: Mates Of State
• Album: Team Boo
• Label: Polyvinyl
• Year of Release: 2003
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: EsteeS on 2004-12-02

Mates of State is a remarkable band, but Team Boo, if not handled correctly, can be horribly irritating album. I felt slightly ill by the time the fourth track came around. The organ was making my head pound and the never ending, full-on pop songs started to make me edgy. Team Boo holds exceptional tracks, but to fully appreciate Mates of State, Team Boo must be listened to with many frequent breaks.

Produced by John Croslin (Pavement, Guided by Voices) and Jim Eno (Spoon), the first thing noticed on the album are the clean, young voices smoothly singing strong, impressive harmonies. The voices compensate for anything the band may lack... like a guitar. Mates of State is mostly made up of a drum set and an organ. The less common instrumental ensemble provides Mates of State with a positively distinct sound. Unfortunately, there is only so much of the organ's wailing you can hear without it becoming monotonous.

Mates of State's music is faultless when a mixed CD starts to lag. A song like "fluke" will resuscitate it quickly, a fast and upbeat, pop song with lyrics speaking of lies and death threats. Perhaps the most amazing thing about this album is how compatible the voices are, how they just seem to fit effortlessly. Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel's marriage is completely unsurprising due to the sense of unity radiating from their music. The ideal couple persona being marketed is indeed a component that is especially different and oddly appealing.

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