I went to a Death Cab concert, as well featuring Spoon and Mates Of State. The Mates of State were otherwise somewhat unknown to me, but their performance was very good, and I afterwards I heard some of their other songs, and was very impressed. Anyone else?

I've been listing their album Bring it Back as one of the best albums released this year. Great band.

I went to this tour also, the one where those bands performed in San Diego.
Mates of state was suprisingly able to basically duplicate the sound quality of their last two albums - which is impressive considering they are both have shiny production quality.
I was also surprised to see that the husband plays the drums while he sings. I've never seen that before, and just assumed they used a drum machine or something. The fact that just the two of them can produce that music is pretty neat.

As for the album, I agree that it is good - but not great. They have some amazing songs, like "Think Long", but then some so-so tracks as well. They do the dance/pop thing very well though.

quote:

Originally posted by BContrat:
I was also surprised to see that the husband plays the drums while he sings. I've never seen that before, and just assumed they used a drum machine or something.

This is off topic, but there's been quite a few guys who sang while playing drums. Here's a few notables:

Don Henley in the Eagles
Phil Collins in Genesis
Grant Hart in Husker Du

They're ok highly original but their sound grows old too quickly. My solo project is flawless though. The song 'i have space' is what got me into them, if only they had more songs like that!

I love My Solo Project and Team Boo, but Bring it Back... not so much.

I'm a big fan of all their albums. Team Boo wasn't as immediate for me as the other three, but it grew on me. I think I like them because Cory is just gorgeous...

Yeah, they have their moments. I love "Like U Crazy" and "Nature and the Wreck" on Bring it Back. Otherwise I like it alright but wouldn't put it on any best of lists.

Team Boo friggin gets me every time. Ha Ha is just such a fantastic song. The keyboard at the beginning makes my eyes melt.

i personally like team boo more than bring it back. favorites off the album include whiner's bio, parachutes, and separate the people

Bring It Back just wasn't as interesting as Team Boo.

Ha Ha is just such a catchy song.

do you guys know any similar bands?

quote:

Originally posted by andrewle:
do you guys know any similar bands?

The upbeat songs remind my a bit of the Polyphonic Spree. Kori Gardner's vocals are a bit reminscent of early Liz Phair. That's the best I can do on short notice.

I grabbed Team Boo and Bring It Back after reading this thread (and after a friend of mine has been encouraging me for quite some time to do so) and after ONLY 1 LISTen... I wasn't as impressed w/ Team Boo as I was Bring It Back. Maybe It'll grow on me. But BiB was immediately enjoyable for me (esp. the baby cooing at the end of "Nature and the Wreck" haha)