Occasionally, I get lucky enough to meet really charming people. Everyone loves them on sight, and they're impossible to dislike, unless you're the Grinch or something. Ida is a prime example; when I met them at a show interview, I was amazed by how content they were with their lot -- a rare thing to see in D.C., which seems full of slightly jaded and languidly hip people. Mates of State's My Solo Project is so bubbly, so happy, so up that on first hearing, you're sure you'd invite Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel back to your house for a beer the minute you met them. They seem ecstatically in love with life and each other, and their music instantly conveys this, from the opening track, in which Kori's sister Kelly sings the theme song from Cheers, to the last song (an analog recording of Kelly singing the theme song to Fame). MOS even loves happy TV, it seems, and that just adds to their likeability.

Given such raves, it's probably reasonable to wonder if MOS at some point descend into kitschiness or general too-tweeness. Representing such genuine joy must be difficult to balance, but they do it. With only the cheerful burbling of Gardner's ancient Hammond organ and Hammel's oddly beat drum kit, the sweet -- but not saccharine -- pop shines through, proving that simple, classic stylings are frequently better. Their harmonies are pleasingly textured -- Gardner and Hammel's voices intertwine skillfully, blending and then echoing like round singers. The melodies are always pretty, but you can feel the underlying punk influence of Hammel's musical tastes with the harder rocking edges of some songs, as in "La'hov" and "Names". The latter opens with a chorus of "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah" that sounds like the songs you wished the Partridge Family would play when you were a kid . "La'hov" opens with the energetic, punkish chorus "Thought about who you are" and simple organ chords; this song relies on the interplay of the vocals to charm you. "I Have Space" is built more around Gardner's higher, girlish tones and a lovely organ melody. The drums are limited and muted, and Hammel chimes in only now and again to harmonize. "Everybody Needs an Editor" sounds like a realistic love song from a punk perspective. Every song is a bit different, even though the overall feel is as unified as the singers' hearts and voices.

Great art requires great love from the artist. My Solo Project makes you feel that love.