Mates of State: Team Boo : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

After touring in support of their sophomore gem, Our Constant Concern, Mates of State's Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel left their lovely San Francisco residence for Gardner's home state of Connecticut. There, the indie-pop duo resumed writing and recording with engineer John Croslin (Crooked Jades, Beulah) and Spoon drummer Jim Eno for the band's third album, Team Boo. The dozen-track set is sharp, shiny pop rock and unlike the biting wit of Quasi and the slickness of the White Stripes, Mates of State craft a pleasant design. Their organ/drum combo is rich in layered harmonies and quirky rhythms, particularly on "I Got This Feelin'" and "Fluke." Gardner's girlish vocals snugly wrap around her husband's boyish charm, letting on to Mates of State's genuine love for music as well as for one another. If "Gotta Get a Problem" doesn't make their special love obvious, you're either too bitter or too cool.

MACKENZIE WILSON
(October 14, 2003)