Husband-and-wife duo Jason Hammel and Kori Gardner began recording as Mates of State in the late '90s. Their early releases, like 2002's Our Constant Concern, were sugary confections that filtered twee pop and electronica through the band's distinctive harmonies. The band's breakthrough, 2006's Bring it Back, added a slick, Carpenters-inspired sheen of AM gold that was met with laudatory reviews and strong sales. Mates of State continue to enjoy a home in the upper tiers of indie pop, recording and touring with compatriots like Spoon and Death Cab for Cutie.