My Solo Project [PA]

Performer: Mates of State
Distributor: Alternative Dis. Alliance

Notes: Originally released on Omnibus Records, this is Polyvinyl's LP reissue. When the husband and wife duo Mates of State named their first album MY SOLO PROJECT, it got at the essence of their unique symbiosis, both romantic and musical. The album introduces listeners to Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel's extraordinarily ebullient indie pop, which takes Quasi's basic formula of electric organ-vocals-drums and jacks up the infectious pop factor, punctuating it with pink hearts. Not to limit them to the boy-girl element, their songcraft is winningly askew, too. Verses are more apt to segue into more left-field other verses than into the expected bridge-and-chorus. Each track is often a three- or-four-in-one deal, as in "A Control Group." A song like "Proofs" hints at why the duo is such a popular live band: you want to see this catchy, energetic call-and-response in action. Bursting with euphoric energy, My Solo Project is a tremendous debut full-length from San Francisco's Mates of State. With organ, drums, and belted-out boy-girl harmonies, the Mates of State crank out a giant, joyous pop sound that needs no overdubbing or ornamentation to convey its exuberance. The keys-fronted lineup begs comparison to bands like Ben Folds Five and Quasi, but the Mates of State have built a freshness all their own, rejuvenating indie pop with unbelievable vigor. Vocalist/organist Kori Gardner has a honey-sweet voice that shifts easily from languorous to explosive within single songs, deftly intertwining with drummer/vocalist Jason Hammel's punctuated yell-singing. The band's bouncy live sound excels on songs "La'hov" and "Everyone Needs an Editor," while songs like "Nice Things That Look Good" and "Ride Again" prove a solid ability to slow down and noodle. The momentum of My Solo Project is further sustained by the varied tempos and rhythms -- just a little loose around the edges -- that build from one to the next in a way that rigid rock beats so often miss. The simple, repetitive lyrics take on a poetic, jazzy quality, as one singer maintains the chorus line while the other solos with words -- reminiscent of fellow West Coast indie rock duo the Halo Benders. With this all-round impressive debut of passionate, accessible pop/rock, the Mates of State breath fresh excitement into the indie scene in a big way. ~ Michelle Cross

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