Their songs are notable for their male/female vocal harmony, shifting rhythms, and quirky song structure- most tracks are composed of multiple distinct, almost disjointed movements. Both members sing with great intensity, often in the upper ranges of their voices, and often sing different (yet complementary) melodies simultaneously. Tempos are nearly always fast, with beats often resembling those found in electronic club or dance music.
The main instruments used by the band are drums and electric organ. Although both members started out playing the guitar, they found they ended up fooling around with the organ and drums in their practice space more often than with more traditional instruments.
The band recorded one album on Omnibus Records before moving to Polyvinyl Record Company for their second and third full-lengths. They have also released five 7-inch singles and two EPs. In December 2005, the band signed with Barsuk and since have released an album entitled Bring It Back. In May 2008, they released the album Re-Arrange Us.
Fluke
Mates of State Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We say that we'd take you down
To the water's edge and watch you drown
We lied in so many words
We don't need to drive
Hang us out to dry
About to bust
We don't need to drive, oh no
What you got?
We lied in so many words
I said that I'd take you down
To the water's edge and watch you drown
We lied in so many words
We don't need to drive
Hang us out to dry
About to bust
We don't need to drive
We don't need to
I saw you walking on the sidewalk
Your head was taller than the trees
The reconstruction had just started
And I knew we'd view it piece by piece
I can't say, who do I believe?
Chance would have it that way
I can't say, who do I believe?
I'll follow it at the same pace
What do you think you see?
The horses their collision courses
I know exactly what you mean
Cause I'm obsessed with what would happen
If we'd had never changed a thing
I can't say, who do I believe?
Chance would have it that way
I can't say, who do I believe?
I'll follow it at the same pace
I'm about to bust
The lyrics to Mates of States Fluke are hauntingly beautiful and speak of the complexities of human relationships. The song starts with the lines "We lied in so many words, We say that we'd take you down to the water's edge and watch you drown". The singer is confessing to deceit, possibly in a romantic relationship, where they have said things they didn't mean or promised things they couldn't deliver. The water's edge is a metaphorical representation of a breaking point, and the singer acknowledges that they might have caused harm to this person.
The second verse starts with the line "I saw you walking on the sidewalk, Your head was taller than the trees". The singer sees the person they have wronged, and they are feeling small and insignificant in front of them. The reconstruction mentioned in the following lines alludes to a rebuilding process, a metaphor of how the singer wants to make things right in the relationship. But they are also uncertain, represented by the lines "I can't say, who do I believe? Chance would have it that way, I'll follow it at the same pace". The singer is unsure of their feelings, and they don't know what to do.
The chorus repeats the lines "We don't need to drive, Hang us out to dry, About to bust". The singer feels like they have been exposed and vulnerable, and they are ready to face the consequences of their actions. The words Hang us out to dry, mean that they are willing to put themselves in a position where they can be judged, and About to bust represents how they feel, full of emotions but unable to express them fully.
Overall, the song Fluke is a song about the complexities of human emotions and relationships. The song speaks about the human tendency to lie, deceive and promises that cannot be kept. The singer acknowledges their faults, but they are unsure how to make things right. The lyrics are beautiful and poetic, and the music is haunting and melancholy, making it a perfect song for introspection.
Line by Line Meaning
We lied in so many words
We weren't truthful in what we said
We say that we'd take you down
We claimed we'd harm you
To the water's edge and watch you drown
We even went as far as suggesting we would let you die
We don't need to drive
We don't need to go anywhere
Hang us out to dry
Leave us to fend for ourselves
About to bust
We're on the verge of collapse
I saw you walking on the sidewalk
I saw you taking a stroll
Your head was taller than the trees
You seemed confident and strong
The reconstruction had just started
The process of rebuilding was just beginning
And I knew we'd view it piece by piece
I knew we'd have to take it one step at a time
I can't say, who do I believe?
I'm unsure of who to trust
Chance would have it that way
It seems like it's all left up to fate
I'll follow it at the same pace
I'll go along with whatever happens
What do you think you see?
Are you sure you're interpreting things correctly?
The horses their collision courses
Two opposing forces approaching each other
I know exactly what you mean
I understand your sentiment
Cause I'm obsessed with what would happen
Because I'm fixated on the potential outcomes
If we'd had never changed a thing
If we had stayed the same
I'm about to bust
I'm feeling overwhelmed and on the brink of breaking down
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jason Edward Hammel, Kori Gardner Hammel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
annak98
Love them. They are fantastic.
mycatpetra
you can't help but love kori and jason..they remind me why I am married..they are a great example of two people being parters for life. besides that they make the most unique songs, the only people who don't seem to appreciate them are the haters and music snobs..they are missing out big time!!
Orin Babendure
Cant wait to see them this week at Warehouse Live. These guys rock!!!!!
TheCurmudgeon
God I love this band. Great song and Kori is just... delicious.
Luc Esplin
Not too sure on the breakdown bit but the bit at 1,34 is epic!! The more i play it though the better the breakdown is!!
Brie
I LOVE MATES OF STATE
Scentsy Forever
Polyvinyl seriously needs to re-upload this in better quality.
Timmy Smith
I remember seeing these guys open for the Strokes back in '04, before anyone knew who they were...
eveamnosyl
Aww, they were so young when they made this video! It's adorable.
captainspirou
Have you seen these guys live? It's like they're making out on stage through song.