Re-arrange Us

Rate It! Avg: 4.5 (394 ratings)
Re-arrange Us album cover
Album Information

Total Tracks: 10   Total Length: 35:47

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was looking for She and Him...

DigitalHobo

...and instead got this $#!^. emusic, this is lame. Stop being cheesy and get Merge records back on here already. Oh, and I couldn't even get through the 30 second previews of this horrid album.

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Best two-man Married Band since the Carpenters

mpgoroff26

I had never heard of Mates of State prior to e-music recommending this album, but they are a joy to behold. Recording a modern version of soft rock (now it all is called Indie), the album is a joy to hear. Songs like My Only Offer, You Are Free, and The Rearranger are great and I find this album always bring a smile to my face when I play it

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You are — Twee-ee!

Prova

'My Only Offer', 'You Are Free' — Sweet stuff.

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Great Stuff!

Ruelxx

Downloading the album now as I listen to Get Better. This is making my day!

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Some great hooky pop

DigMe

I got turned onto this album by listening to boredagainchristian.com. I'm really digging it now but I could see it maybe getting old after a while. My Only Offer and The Re-Arranger are the best ones IMO.

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Not compelling

knoxjon

I just couldn't get into this album. Every song sounds the same, and there was nothing there to grab me. I wanted to like it, but I just couldn't.

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Their best to date

Zotzedwriter

Poppier than in the past but lyrically and emotionally stronger.

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Got Old VERY Quickly

Donniepi

This album got such rave reviews from just about everyone but I have just never warmed up to it. I don't think it has "hooks for days" I think it's just banal and annoying for days. Everytime it pops up randomly on my player, I just want to scream halfway through every track meaning Mates of State have about a 2 minute time limit.

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Hooks For Days!

pnut1271

If the piano riff in "My Only Offer" doesn't get permanently stuck in your head, go get your hearing checked. One of the great pop records of 2008.

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So Much Fun!

grendel25

Mates of State keep getting better and better. I find myself listening to this more and more because it's great music to sing to in your car.

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eMusic Features

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Mates of State

By Keith Harris, eMusic Contributor

Happily married couples have formed the nucleus of many a prominent indie rock band. But wife Kori Gardner and husband Jason Hammel are Mates of State — since they first joined forces in the late '90s in Lawrence, Kansas, it has been just the two of them, with Hammel bashing away on drums, and Gardner on electric organ, and the pair of them trading bright vocals that fall short of twee. Ten years, five albums, and… more »

They Say All Music Guide

Giving a record a title like Re-Arrange Us might imply some kind of shift in sound or approach but on Mates of State album of that title, there is nothing of the sort taking place. In fact, the album continues along the path the band has plotted out over their last couple releases with more piano and less organ, a glossy, slick feel that’s radio ready and super-hooky tunes that are both sing-along friendly and emotionally powerful. “Get Better” sets the tone of the album right away with a sunshine-y melody, smooth production and sentiments like, “Forget all your politics for awhile/Let the color schemes arrive.” It’s a near perfect summer jam, almost too perfect as the rest of the album never quite recaptures the glorious feeling the song provides. Some come close though. “Help Help,” with its ’80s synths and fuzzed organ; “My Only Offer,” with a majestic piano part and beautiful vocals from Kori Gardner; and the positively exuberant “Jigsaw” are the kind of songs indie rock bands would kill for. Gardner and Jason Hammel are becoming adept at creating big, shiny records with a real-life heart beating beneath. Indeed behind the pretty melodies and sing-along choruses are some tough sentiments with talk of losing fights and cold sweat on “You Are Free,” long lost love on “Blue and Gold Print,” and desperate battles on “The Re-Arranger.” It’s a fully realized album that will appeal to indie fans that like some sugar with their sadness, some sour with their sweetness. Most of all it will go down like honey for Mates of State fans who have been following the band’s progression from an edgy lo-fi duo to the indie rock hit making machine they have so gracefully become. – Tim Sendra

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Activity

  • 05.23.12 I wonder what ever became of that bro, tom, from myspace.
  • 05.22.12 “@MollyRingwald: Can't stop listening to "Mates of States"â€. And We can't stop watching breakfast clubs. ;)
  • 05.22.12 Does iTunes love it when musicians die and their records shoot back into the top ten.
  • 05.18.12 Looooove the new @BeaccchHoussse album!
  • 05.18.12 Kinda dying to see The Dictator. Anyone have a report w/out spoiling.
  • 05.18.12 I love tough women.
  • 05.16.12 We've been working on new music, and here's a little iphone clip from this mornings rehearsal... http://t.co/WlQmzFjQ
  • 05.16.12 Weather on Trash Night: picture-version. Rainy with steamy lights. http://t.co/gOBCE2xI
  • 05.12.12 how many more babies should we have, zero or 5? go big or go home?
  • 05.11.12 “@Baeblemusic: Mates of States get busy Pollacking a Warhol. http://t.co/oy2Z1Rhuâ€. I like your term "Pollacking a Warhol".