Mate of State pt. 1

Oh, The Mates of State, where do I begin? We've had our ups and downs. On average the good times have been of greater amplitude and duration than the not good times. We've reached a new level in our relationship. I won't go into their very charming back story, but check out what AMG has to say about them. I've had the honor of seeing them in concert three times, in three different states. I don't think I can say that about any other band. The first time was at the Bowery Ballroom in NYC in 2001. They opened for Beulah and they signed my copy of My Solo Project. The second show was in San Diego in some place that felt like a youth center in a church basement in 2002. They opened for The Anniversary and the name of the place is the Epicentre (I just looked it up). I didn't get to see the Anniversary because one of the people I went with got sick. Finally, for now, I saw them at First Ave in Minneapolis in 2006 with the husband of the friend who got sick at their 2002 show. I enjoyed each show and went with different people to each show.

Their first album, My Solo Project, came out in 2000 and quickly climbed into my heart. Luckily they were very small at the time and I was able to have them removed win a non-invasive procedure. I have to admit I really don't like the opening song, Names, which is a dream-sequency version of the Cheers theme. The rest of the album more than makes up for the opening disaster. That was kind of harsh, but it needed to be said. I believe in tough love. Proofs is the second song and is a very represntative piece of their music, organ-heavy, good beat and mingling vocals. Nice Things That Look Good stands out for being calm, kind of like the eye of a hurricane. That''s pretty apt, actually; this album has a lot of energy. Coming back to this album with the experienc of their newer efforts makes me listen to it with a new ear. I can hear the seeds of what they will become, the complexity of their songs is present even in these early days.

Our Constant Conern is their sophomore effort released by Polyvinyl in 2002. I think it picks up where MSP left off. There is growth and they are certainly perfecting their style. I was going to say that it sounds the same, but that's neither quite accurate nor fair. They have a unique, easily recognizable sound, so it's going to sound the same, but it's different all the same. I feel like the songs are becoming more complex and the intertwining vocals move from tight to harmonizing with ease. I think of DNA being transcribed by DNA Polymerase I when I listen to their vocals. For those of you Biology majors out there, you feel me. At some points it's still tight and double-stranded, but then DNA Pol I comes along and pulls the DNA apart into single strands, like their vocals separating and harmonizing. OK, I'll stop with that line of thought now. I have to admit that I had not listened to OCC in awhile and am thoroughly enjoying it. I seem to have a lot of admissions tonight. That's better than the usual emmisions that I have. OK I will talk about the other three albums tomorrow.