Released 20 years ago
Bring It Back
Mates of State · 2006
48 min · 12 tracks · indie pop
Bright, intertwining melodies and harmonies create a buoyant indie pop landscape filled with reflective lyrics and rhythmic playfulness.
Top tracks — play these first
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Think Long — Opening with infectious energy, this track encapsulates the band's signature sound while exploring themes of introspection and perseverance.
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Fraud in the '80s — This song combines playful lyrics with an upbeat tempo, effectively critiquing nostalgia and societal norms in a way that resonates with listeners.
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Beautiful Dreamer — With its lush instrumentation and heartfelt vocal delivery, this track stands out by deepening the emotional landscape and showcasing the duo's lyrical depth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong melodies and varied tempos but lacks a fully cohesive flow.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album maintains a consistent upbeat tempo, while the second half introduces slower, more introspective tracks.
- Vocals are shared between the two members, often harmonizing in a call-and-response style that emphasizes their interplay.
- Several tracks feature layered instrumentation that builds gradually, creating a rich soundscape before resolving into simpler arrangements.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- playful melodies for sunny days
- reflective moments with friends
- short bursts of rhythmic energy
- uplifting tracks for casual listening
Maybe skip if you
- long, contemplative listening sessions
- slow-paced, drawn-out explorations
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on January 1, 2006, 'Bring It Back' is Mates of State's fourth studio album, following their well-received 'Team Boo' in 2003. At this point in their career, the duo was solidifying their unique blend of catchy pop hooks and intimate storytelling, earning them a growing fanbase within the indie music scene.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Tennis· The Weepies· Of Monsters and Men
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Think Long 4:44
- 2 Fraud in the '80s 4:22
- 3 Like U Crazy 3:58
- 4 Beautiful Dreamer 4:39
- 5 What It Means 2:25
- 6 For the Actor 4:33
- 7 Nature and the Wreck 2:22
- 8 So Many Ways 3:56
- 9 Punchlines 3:53
- 10 Running Out 6:51
- 11 Goods (All in Your Head) 4:47
- 12 How Hard 1:50
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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