Review:

on 2008-05-24 lekwon Said:

Indie rock's ideal husband-and-wife act is back with a new album, Rearrange Us. This time, they approach the music with more instruments besides the anticipated organs and drum set. There are more vocal harmonies, an emphasis on symphonic sounds, and a further understanding of when synthesizers just become overbearing, thus ultimately creating an album that is much more enjoyable than a record like 2003's Team Boo.

What Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel have lacked in terms of instrument variety, they have always compensated through their different experiments and games with their voices. Rearrange Us is no exception as it boasts a wonderful use of call-and-response in the song "My Only Offer" and a chilling harmony in the chorus of "Now." Furthermore, regardless of how many instruments they are physically capable of holding at one time, the married duo did not hesitate to include a more diverse group of influences. The introductory track "Get Better" is accentuated by the use of orchestral instruments from the climax of the song to its end. At the same time, Gardner and Hammel still keep their foundation of organs and drums, reassuring the listener that they are still the unique sound that is Mates of State.

However, Mates of State may still have a problem with monotony. Almost every song starts out incredibly strong with a fresh burst of beautiful chords or energetic beats, but some suffer from a repetitive theme, such as "Jigsaw." As the record nears its end, a handful of these songs tend to lose their unique identity and blend too much with one another. The first half of the record is stronger in inventiveness than the second half.

Above all, Rearrange Us consists of standout tracks that are different for every Mates of State fan, yet it does not stand as an album that can be constantly played from its beginning to its end. The one thing to appreciate about Rearrange Us is its endearing demonstration of Gardner and Hammel's vocal talents and musical awareness.
Rating: 7/10