Mates of State's 2004 EP
All Day is a disappointment. Not because of the music -- no, that is as sunny and brilliant as ever -- but because the duo didn't deliver a full-length album instead. Once you get over the initial pain of that, you are left with four wonderful tracks that are some of their best, fullest, and most melodic work yet. The songs are again built around
Jason Hammel's drums;
Kori Gardner's piano, organ, and synths; and the couple's beautifully artless vocals. This time there is a little bit of guitar thrown in, too. "Goods (All in Your Head)" and "Along for the Ride" are typically twisting, energetic indie rock songs played with an excess of brains and power. "Drop and Anchor" is a departure, a pretty piano ballad with back-and-forth vocals that take a while to meet, but when they do it creates sparks. Their cover of
David Bowie's "Starman" is painless fun, one of the chirpiest covers of a
Bowie tune you are liable to hear. Four songs are better than none, especially when they signal that
Mates of State are getting better. Bring on the next album! ~ Tim Sendra