Mates of State Rearranges Us...

I love Mates of State and yet the last time I listened to their records was years ago. So when I received the newest release, Re-Arrange Us, it was like visiting old friends. Though these friends added cello, trumpet, and vocals from Death Cab for Cutie's Ben Gibbard to the usual drum and keyboard duo. The record is fun, flirty, and simple. Sometimes so simple that it sounds as similar to the track prior but don't worry it's a song worth hearing.

This record is the perfect record if you wanted to go jogging. It's upbeat and the ability to feel sad is almost impossible when you listen to this multi-layered little record. I don't jog and maybe you don't either but it can help push you through the day whether you are working, writing papers, or figuring out geometry. The driving songs make the foot tap and the head move from side to side. You can feel the influence of Death Cab throughout the record. Songs Help Help and Get Better are standout. They can easily be the first song on the mid-summer mix with the windows down trying not to think about tomorrow.

It's nice to be able to find old friends, catch up with new stories, and new melodies. If you want to stay in touch with their day to day movement with their two children make sure you catch their blog band on the diaper run.