IFLTS: 'Fraud in the '80s,' Mates of State

'Fraud in the '80s,' Mates of State
From 2006's 'Bring It Back'

Like an indie beach party, the bouncy hammond-esque organ and uber-hooky vocal melodies on 'Fraud in the '80s' make this one of the catchiest tunes I've heard in a million years, managing to evoke images of summer and convertibles even while it's sub-zero outside. Unlike more polished studio pop songsmiths (fellow endless summer enthusiasts, the Beach Boys, for instance), husband/wife duo Mates of State do little to hide or mask the idiosyncrasies in their voices, making the tune feel like an authentic conversation among friends. Several of the catchy little harmonies and vocal hooks have now fused with my brain cells, leaving me singing in the shower, humming while I bang away on my computer or walking home from the subway. Hell, they're even appearing as a refrain in the soundtrack to my dreams. The Mates were obviously right when they sang, "You will surely find this is pleasing to your ears."

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