Mountaintops
Mates of State · 2011
37 min · 10 tracks · indie pop
Bright melodies and layered harmonies intertwine with introspective lyrics, creating an airy yet grounded indie pop experience.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Palomino — Opening the album, this track features lush instrumentation and catchy hooks that encapsulate the duo's playful yet thoughtful style, setting the tone for the entire record.
-
→
Total Serendipity — This song highlights the band's ability to weave together complex lyrical themes with upbeat melodies, making it a standout example of their signature blend of joy and introspection.
-
→
Mistakes — With its reflective lyrics and dynamic arrangement, this track embodies the emotional core of the album, illustrating the tension between vulnerability and resilience.
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 layered harmonies but lacks a cohesive flow across all tracks.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature upbeat tempos and bright instrumentation, while the fourth track introduces a slower, more reflective mood.
- Layered vocal harmonies are prominent throughout, with both singers often overlapping their lines rather than taking distinct verses.
- Several tracks incorporate unexpected shifts in dynamics, such as 'Total Serendipity', which transitions from a soft verse to a more energetic chorus.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
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
- airy melodies for sunny days
- introspective lyrics with warmth
- short tracks for quick listens
- playful rhythms spark joy
- easygoing background for gatherings
Maybe skip if you
- seeking heavy, intense experiences
- prefer long, sprawling compositions
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2011, Mountaintops is Mates of State's fifth studio album, following their 2008 release, Re-Arrange Us. At this point in their career, the husband-and-wife duo had established themselves as key figures in indie pop, blending elements of rock and electronic music while honing their signature sound.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Tennis· The Weepies· Of Monsters and Men
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Palomino 4:55
- 2 Maracas 3:22
- 3 Sway 3:34
- 4 Unless I'm Led 5:21
- 5 Total Serendipity 3:40
- 6 Basement Money 3:32
- 7 At Least I Have You 3:31
- 8 Desire 2:47
- 9 Change 2:38
- 10 Mistakes 4:01
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.