Father’s little helper and I are grateful that the weekend’s upon us. It means a brief reprieve from ten plus hour days. Here’s hoping that this weekend’s also free from flat pack furniture. Damn Swedes.
Wanted to take the chance to point you all at a band that’s been burning up my iPod this week. The Mates of State (MySpace) are a husband and wife team that came out of Kansas in the late 1990’s. They got my attention a year or so ago as the traveling band for the This American Life live show and, separately, as a contributor to a great kids music compilation called “For The Kids Three” 
. They cover James Taylor on that comp and their song is one of the most earwormy you’ll ever hear.
The Mates of State have a new album out and I’ve been listening to it non-stop since it came my way. It’s the best that I’ve heard so far this year. “Re-arrange Us” is effervescent, piano laden pop that just forces a smile out of you. A must. It’s my soundtrack for the weekend.
The Mates of State’s “Re-arrange Us” is available from .
MP3: The Mates of State – “Help, Help” (from “Re-arrange Us”)
MP3: The Mates of State – “Jellyman Kelly”
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by Nichole
16 Aug 2008 at 00:35
You picked the perfect day to post this! It’s Piper’s birthday, and “Jelly Man Kelly” is one of her favorite songs. This is a great cover of it! We’ve listened to it three times this morning already.
Nicholes last blog post..Three
by Trooper Thorn
16 Aug 2008 at 05:30
I’m a big James Taylor fan (even before I became old) so I wll have to check that out.
Thanks for your comments on Olympic outfits. being a Canadian, I have a hard time with the field hockey. I watch it, but then my mind explodes trying to understand why they are skating so slowly.
by Mike from the Newborn Identity
16 Aug 2008 at 05:51
I’m always up for trying new tunes! Thanks for the recommendation!
Mike from the Newborn Identitys last blog post..If There Was A Gold Medal In Crazy…
by Agnes
16 Aug 2008 at 07:35
Yes – a Mates Of State cover that I don’t have! Looks like somebody’s been hunting…thanks! Needless to say (though I’m obviously going to anyway), Re-Arrange Us is fantastic, and I reckon it’ll pop up on several Best Of lists this year. Good on ‘em, I say!
Agness last blog post..This is how you spell…
by A Free Man
16 Aug 2008 at 10:38
Nichole – Hurrah for Piper! Glad she liked it. I spent one whole Saturday singing this song and driving Dr. O’C crazy.
TT- You don’t have to be old to like James Taylor. He was one of my favorite artists in my first year of college.
Mike – definitely worth a few bucks if you like them.
Agnes – Aha! Got one first!
by Starrlight
16 Aug 2008 at 14:12
I did 12 hours today and man I don’t know how I worked 50+ hours every week for years. I am tooo old for that!
Starrlights last blog post..The Ballad Of Jack and Rose – Part Two
by Agnes
16 Aug 2008 at 21:24
Nice one! Don’t be surprised if it makes an appearance over at my digs sometime soon!
Agness last blog post..This is how you spell…
by Agnes
17 Aug 2008 at 16:09
Back again just to say that Jellyman Kelly tune is pretty cool. Hadn’t even heard of it until you posted it and it’s pretty cute. My nephew loves listening to my iPod on car trips and I reckon this tune will quickly become a big favourite!
Agness last blog post..Une Quête
by People in the Sun
18 Aug 2008 at 23:53
See, the problem with Mates of State is that they remind me of the couple in Wet Hot American Summer. I saw them in Baltimore a couple of years ago, and that’s all I could think of the entire show. He does look a bit like Michael Showalter.
She’s too good for him, is what I’m saying.
by Toasty
20 Aug 2008 at 04:51
The chicks love Jellyman Kelly! Thanks for turning us on to some new tunes… they’re tired of listening to Amy Winehouse in the car…
Toastys last blog post..Pain and Anguish