Discography: Mansions

This emo-tinged indie-rock band was formed by Christopher Browder, crystalizing from various solo projects in 2007. The following is a reverse chronological discography of Browder’s work, including his previous solo releases and college-era bands Good Driver and Once More (Than Never).

While I was working on this archive, Chris went ahead and built something very similar on the band's website for their primary releases. There, too, are some great making-of accounts of several full-lengths in the discography.

Mansions (2007-present)

Mansions 'New Love Cassette' Artwork

New Love Cassette

Label: Bad Timing Records
Date: February 22, 2024
Media: Digital

Tracklist:
  1. New Love Cassette (Angel Olsen cover) 01:52

Another one-off cover. This one came with a note from Chris on the band's Instagram.

While writing Tuff Luff I got hit with major writer’s block, and one attempt to bust out of it was recording dumb rock versions of songs that were very much not that (e.g. what if Phoebe bridges had a pop-punk band). I’ve always loved New Love Cassette, and after recording a demo Robin and I were both like “wait…why can’t the album just be like this???” That discovery unlocked Tuff Luff in a very real way, and we recorded this “real” version in those same Tuff Luff sessions. I hope you dig it as much as we like playing it!!


Mansions 'Tuff Luff' Artwork
Cover photo by Susan Browder. Layout by Cold Pizza.

Tuff Luff

Label: Bad Timing Records
Date: October 6, 2023
Media: 12" LP, Digital

Tracklist:
  1. Sorry Sorry 02:38
  2. Crystal Lake 02:21
  3. Something Sweet 02:47
  4. Underrated 01:51
  5. Into My Body 02:37
  6. PIP 03:41
  7. 2 B w/ People 02:19
  8. Honeymoon 03:37
  9. It's a Joke 02:08
  10. Last Dance 04:09
  11. Ice Age 03:20

Mansions' 6th studio album was marked as a return to the sound that married Dig Up The Dead and Doom Loop. It was recorded from December 2022 to March 2023.


Mansions 'Old Best Friends' Artwork
Cover photo by Christopher Browder

Old Best Friends

Label: self-released
Date: October 29, 2021
Media: 12" LP, Digital

Tracklist:
  1. Never Enuff 03:17
  2. Out For Blood 03:40
  3. Call Me When It's Over 03:02
  4. Talk Talk Talk 03:30
  5. Leader of the Pack 03:21
  6. Seven Years 03:50
  7. The Economist 04:32
  8. Holidaze 03:36
  9. High Numbers 03:53
  10. Climbers 03:36
  11. PPV 02:36
  12. Dig Up The Dead 04:12

Recorded from August 2020 through March 2021, this collection continues a long-running theme of reimagining old material to give it new life.


Mansions 'Driver's License / 21st Century Vampire' Artwork
Cover photo by Christopher Browder

Driver's License / 21st Century Vampire

Label: self-released
Date: Summer 2021
Media: Digital

Tracklist:
  1. Driver’s License (Olivia Rodrigo cover) 04:27
  2. 21st Century Vampire (Lil Huddy cover) 03:12

In a series of covers, also known as 'VS TikTok', Chris transformed these viral hits into charming acoustic ballads.


Mansions 'Best of the Bees' 20th Anniversary Artwork
20th Anniversary Artwork

Best of the Bees (20th Anniversary Edition)

Label: Bad Timing Records
Date: November 2020
Media: 12" Vinyl

Tracklist:
  1. OMG 03:53
  2. I Swear 04:01
  3. Never Enuff 03:26
  4. Last to Leave 03:49
  5. Let's Be Sad Together 03:35
  6. You Got Caught 03:48
  7. 18th Bday 02:20
  8. Unwell 02:59
  9. The Constant 03:15
  10. When I Sleep 04:13
  11. Tangerine (Alternate Version) 04:23

Bad Timing Records released the compilation on vinyl for its 20th Anniversary. This release features remixed and remastered versions of the songs. While "All Eyes On You" was dropped, "When I Sleep" and "The Constant" were added.


Mansions 'Big Bad At Home' Artwork
Cover photo by Robin Dove

Big Bad At Home

Label: Bad Timing Records
Date: September 11, 2020
Media: Digital

Tracklist:
  1. Let's Explode 03:21
  2. Power Lines 02:59
  3. To Be Free 02:07
  4. Get Loose 03:53

Recorded from July through September 2020, these new takes on cuts from Big Bad were released as a digital-exclusive.


Mansions 'Big Bad' Artwork
Cover photo by Guthrie King. Layout by Matt Delisle

Big Bad

Label: Bad Timing Records
Date: June 26, 2020
Media: 12" Vinyl

Tracklist:
  1. Do It Again 02:59
  2. Black and White 03:02
  3. Power Lines 03:24
  4. Leader of the Pack 03:36
  5. Let's Explode 03:07
  6. Laser Beams 01:56
  7. Get Loose 03:41
  8. PPV 03:04
  9. Redeemed 03:23
  10. To Be Free 02:35
  11. Strugglers 03:14

Released 7 years after the last, Mansions' fifth LP is known for a slight departure from the band's signature sound. This is the first full-length first released by Bad Timing Records.


Mansions '2010 Rare and Unreleased' Artwork

2010 Rare and Unreleased

Label: self-released
Date: June 05, 2020
Media: Digital

Tracklist:
  1. Blackest Sky (demo) 03:45
  2. Wormhole (alternate version) 02:59
  3. Seven Years (demo) 03:29
  4. You Got Cool (demo) 03:33
  5. When You Said Goodbye 03:29
  6. Lost 03:04
  7. Somewhere You Can't Go 03:43
  8. Don't Worry 03:37
  9. Temporary 03:55
  10. When I Sleep (DUTD version) 04:01

A collection of demos and b-sides from the making of Dig Up The Dead. The collection was only available from June 5-7, 2020 on Bandcamp and all proceeds were donated to Black Lives Matter.

From Christopher Browder on the release:

Most of these were never intended to see the light of the day. Unmastered, mp3 quality, no guarantees that any of it is good.


Mansions 'Deserter' EP artwork by Matt Delisle
Artwork by Matt Delisle

Deserter EP

Label: Bad Timing Records
Date: November 3, 2017
Media: 12" LP, Cassette

Tracklist:
  1. Heel Theme 04:08
  2. High Numbers 04:28
  3. I Feel Worse 03:22
  4. No Shows 03:34
  5. Brain Fog 04:47
  6. One of Three 03:32

After partnering with the label in 2014 for the vinyl pressing of Dig Up The Dead (Acoustic) and The Biggest Lie / Tangerine 7”, Bad Timing Records released the Deserter EP exclusively. The record was premiered on Billboard.com on October 31, 2017.


Mansions 'The Biggest Lie/Tangerine' artwork

The Biggest Lie / Tangerine

Label: Bad Timing Records
Date: March 3, 2014
Media: 7"

Tracklist:
  1. The Biggest Lie 04:11
  2. Tangerine 04:30

Alongside a repressing of New Best Friends, Bad Timing Records printed 250 copies of The Biggest Lie / Tangerine, a two side single with the two tracks from the self-titled EP that didn’t make it on the full length.


Mansions 'Doom Loop' LP artwork by Jesse Treece
Artwork by Jesse Treece

Doom Loop

Label: Clifton Motel
Date: November 12, 2013
Media: 12" LP, Cassette

Tracklist:
  1. Climbers 03:41
  2. Flowers In My Teeth 03:18
  3. Two Suits 03:41
  4. La Dentista 03:10
  5. Out For Blood 03:49
  6. The Economist 04:12
  7. If You're Leaving 03:20
  8. Last One In 04:02
  9. 100 Degrees 03:29
  10. Falling Down 04:13

Mansions’ fourth full-length album, and the second release from the band on Clifton Motel Records. Cassettes by Pretty Lush.


Mansions 'C'est Le Fin Dumonde / Heavy Dungeon Echo' artwork

C'est Le Fin Dumonde / Heavy Dungeon Echo

Label: Burning House Records / Collective Confusion Records
Date: October 2, 2012
Media: 7"

Tracklist:
  1. John Nolan - C'est Le Fin Dumonde 05:15
  2. Mansions - Heavy Dungeon Echo 03:33

Together with John Nolan (and Street Spirit) of Taking Back Sunday and Straylight Run, Mansions released a two track split featuring their single “Heavy Dungeon Echo.” The release was limited to 1000 physical copies.


Mansions 'Can I Borrow This? Vol. I' artwork

Can I Borrow This? Vol. I

Label: Burning House Records
Date: November 24, 2011
Media: Digital

Tracklist:
  1. Tumbledown - Silver Things 02:47
  2. Mansions - Miserable Without You 03:27
  3. Jarrod Gorbel - She Doesn't Get It 03:55
  4. The Young Dudes - Late Again 01:59
  5. Sam Means - Big Drag 02:24
  6. The Holy Rolling Empire - OMG 03:43

This Burning House Records compilation features six of the label’s artists covering one of each others songs. Mansions covered “Miserable Without You” by Jarrod Gorbel and The Holy Rolling Empire covered Mansions’ “OMG.” Proceeds from the sale of the EP go to the San Francisco School Alliance.


'Fences/Mansions Split' artwork

Fences/Mansions Split

Label: Onto Entertainment / Burning House
Date: July 12, 2011
Media: 7"

Tracklist:
  1. Fences - Market Place 02:43
  2. Fences - Heavens Brew (Spoken Word) 01:46
  3. Mansions - On My Way 03:30

Mansions 'Dig Up The Dead Acoustic' artwork by Patrick Leger
Artwork by Patrick Leger

Dig Up The Dead (Acoustic)

Label: Burning House Records / Bad Timing Records
Date: April 15, 2011
Media: 12" LP, CD-R

Tracklist:
  1. Blackest Sky (acoustic) 03:18
  2. Call Me When It's Over (acoustic) 03:01
  3. City Don't Care (acoustic) 04:18
  4. Close That Door (acoustic) 03:19
  5. Dig Up The Dead (acoustic) 03:54
  6. Not My Blood (acoustic) 03:56
  7. Seven Years (acoustic) 03:32
  8. Wormhole (acoustic) 03:32
  9. Yer Voice (acoustic) 03:37
  10. You Got Cool (acoustic) 04:05

This acoustic rendition of Dig Up The Dead was originally released on a limited edition CD-R that was included in pre-orders of the standard album's pink variant and some copies of the CD. It was pressed on vinyl by Bad Timing Records on January 6, 2015.


Mansions 'Dig Up The Dead' artwork by Patrick Leger
Artwork by Patrick Leger

Dig Up The Dead

Label: Burning House Records
Date: April 15, 2011
Media: 12" LP, CD, Cassette

Tracklist:
  1. Blackest Sky 03:18
  2. Call Me When It's Over 03:01
  3. City Don't Care 04:18
  4. Close That Door 03:19
  5. Dig Up The Dead 03:54
  6. Not My Blood 03:56
  7. Seven Years 03:32
  8. Wormhole 03:32
  9. Yer Voice 03:37
  10. You Got Cool 04:05
  11. All Those Dreams (vinyl exclusive) 03:03

Mansions' third full-length album, released by Clifton Motel Records. CDs were pressed by Burning House Records and cassettes by Pretty Lush. Vinyl repressed by Bad Timing Records in 2019.


Mansions 'Best of the Bees' artwork
Original Artwork

Best of the Bees

Label: self-released
Date: January 12, 2010
Media: Digital

Tracklist:
  1. OMG 03:53
  2. I Swear 04:01
  3. Never Enuff 03:26
  4. Last to Leave 03:49
  5. LetsBSdTgthr 03:35
  6. You Got Caught 03:48
  7. 18th Bday 02:20
  8. Unwell 02:59
  9. Tangerine (Alternate Version) 04:23
  10. All Eyes On You (Remix) 03:25

Best of the Bees is a compilation of various tracks from the EP Initiative. Each track was hand picked by Christopher Browder for a Bandcamp exclusive release. The compilation was reworked and re-released by Bad Timing Records in 2020.


Mansions 'Thyme Travel' artwork

Thyme Travel EP

Label: Cougar Child Tapes
Date: July 20, 2009
Media: Cassette

Tracklist:
  1. Unwell 02:48
  2. Family Dinner Week 03:33
  3. All Those Dreams 02:50
  4. Lost in Space 03:29

Roughly 100 copies of this limited edition tape were made. “Unwell” was later put on Best Of The Bees. “Family Dinner Week” was previously released by Browder’s former bands Once More and Good Driver in 2005. “All Those Dreams” was recorded twice more. Once for Mansions’ Daytrotter Session and again as a Dig Up The Dead bonus track.. As far as I’m aware, “Lost In Space” is exclusive to this release.


Mansions 'Manbox' artwork

Manbox

Label: Kings Bones Recordings / Doghouse Records
Date: March 31, 2009
Media: CD, Digital

Tracklist:
  1. Broken Head 03:03
  2. Ahoma Coma 05:21
  3. No One's There (I Don't Care) 02:38

A collaborative release by Weatherbox’s Brian Warren and Mansions’ Christopher Browder. Pre-release CDs were hand numbered /200 and hand-painted.


Mansions 'New Best Friends' artwork
Vinyl Artwork by Mikie Poland
Mansions 'New Best Friends' artwork
CD Artwork by Christopher Brower
Mansions 'New Best Friends' artwork
Re-release Artwork by Robin Dove

New Best Friends

Label: Sophomore Lounge / Doghouse Records
Date: March 3, 2009
Media: 12" LP, CD

Tracklist:
  1. I Told a Lie 01:08
  2. Talk Talk Talk 04:17
  3. Por Favor Is Spanish 03:43
  4. Holidaze 03:28
  5. Curacao Blue 04:28
  6. Insulated 04:29
  7. Take It Back 03:15
  8. Gotta Be Alone 03:38
  9. The Worst Part 03:27
  10. Substitute Angel 03:03
  11. Millions of Pieces 04:00
  12. All Eyes on You 03:50

The second full-length LP from Mansions. A direct follow-up to the EP Initiative, featuring newly recorded versions of the series' best tracks. The original vinyl pressing was hand-assembled and contained a special-edition color poster and CD insert with an interview and unreleased recording of "The Worst" Part.

The original CD pressing featured artwork from Browder and a CD bonus disk for The EP Initiative.

The album was repressed on March 4, 2014 through Bad Timing Records. Handrawn artwork by Robin Dove. This release included the afore-listed "Biggest Lie / Tangerine" 7".


Mansions 'The EP Initiative' artwork

The EP Initiative

Label: Sophomore Lounge / Doghouse Records
Date: March 3, 2009
Media: MP3 CD

Tracklist:
  1. OMG 03:52
  2. I Swear 04:00
  3. Never Enuff 03:27
  4. Last To Leave 03:51
  5. LtsBSdTgthr 03:35
  6. When I Sleep 04:06
  7. Shoes On, Pants Off 03:19
  8. The Constant 03:13
  9. Seven Eleven 01:08
  10. 18th B-Day 02:22
  11. You Got Caught 03:50
  12. When She's Not Around 04:02
  13. I Told a Lie (Remix) 04:10
  14. The Worst Part (Remix) 03:46
  15. Curacao Blue (Remix) 04:03
  16. Gotta Be Alone (16) 03:50
  17. All Eyes on You (Remix) 03:23
  18. Insulated (Remix) 03:40
  19. Talk Talk Talk (Remix) 04:14
  20. Substitute Angel (Acoustic Version) 03:24
  21. Take It Back (Acoustic Version) 04:07
  22. Por Favor Is Spanish (Acoustic Version) 04:07
  23. Millions of Pieces (Acoustic Version) 03:57
  24. Holidaze (Acoustic Version) 04:15
  25. Tangerine (Acoustic Version) 04:21
  26. The Worst Part (Demo) 03:14
  27. Gotta Be Alone (Demo) 03:04
  28. Por Favor Is Spanish (Demo) 03:26
  29. Substitute Angel (Demo) 03:13
  30. Millions of Pieces (Demo) 03:49
  31. Curacao Blue (Demo) 04:22
  32. I Told a Lie (Demo) 04:02
  33. All Eyes on You (Demo) 01:32
  34. Holidaze (Demo) 04:20
  35. Insulated (Demo) 03:57
  36. Take It Back (Demo) 03:32
  37. Tangerine (Demo) 04:21
  38. Talk Talk Talk (Demo) 04:08

This compilation is comprised of tracks released on the various EPs released in 2008, leading up to the release of New Best Friends. It was included as a bonus MP3 disc in the CD release of the record.

A full description of The EP Initiative and it’s seven individual parts is in progress and will be published here at a later time.


Mansions 'Mansions EP' artwork

Mansions EP

Label: Doghouse Records
Date: August 2008
Media: Enhanced CD

Tracklist:
  1. The Worst Part 03:28
  2. Take It Back 03:16
  3. Tangerine 04:30
  4. The Biggest Lie 04:11
Enhanced Content:
  1. Not The First Time (Home Recording / Acoustic) 03:18
  2. The Worst Part (Acoustic) 03:37
  3. Q&A with Christopher Browder video

This self-titled EP was released by Doghouse to drum up buzz for the forthcoming Mansions full length. The first two tracks of the EP were included in that that release. The latter two were rereleased as a 7” in 2014 along with the New Best Friends repress. The CD contains further content accessible via a computer.


Mansions 'Mansions LP' artwork

Mansions LP

Label: Sophomore Lounge Records
Date: Summer 2007
Media: CD

Tracklist:
  1. The Worst Part 03:20
  2. Sustitute Angel 02:59
  3. Por Favor Is Spanish 03:22
  4. Not the First Time 02:47
  5. Gotta Be Alone 03:35
  6. Curacao Blue 04:14
  7. Just Leave It Alone 03:12
  8. I Told a Lie 04:04
  9. Great Big Plan 03:31
  10. Millions of Pieces 03:39
  11. Can't You Feel It 04:50

The first full length released under the Mansions moniker. Self-produced and recorded. This album includes early versions of many songs that would be re-recorded and used on New Best Friends. Only a few hundred copies were produced.


Good Driver (2005-2006)

Magician EP

Label: none
Date: 2006
Media: n/a

Tracklist:
  1. She Said 02:51
  2. Up In Smoke 02:50
  3. What I Came For 02:59
  4. This Little Thing 02:50
  5. Underground 02:26
  6. Silent Hill 03:22
  7. You 03:52

Good Driver 'Good Driver EP' artwork

Good Driver EP

Label: none
Date: 2006
Media: n/a

Tracklist (canonical order unknown):
  • Gotta Be Alone 03:46
  • Por Favor Is Spanish 03:25
  • She Said 03:40
  • The Worst Part 03:34

Good Driver 'Don't Sweat It' artwork

Don't Sweat It

Label: none
Date: 2005
Media: n/a

Tracklist (canonical order unknown):
  • Rolling 02:24
  • Don't Hate The Morning 02:40
  • Family Dinner Week 03:32
  • Tsai Invents the Homerun 04:29
  • Two By Two 03:32
  • Por Favor Is Spanish 03:05
  • Can't You Feel it 04:02
  • Dancing Shoes 03:56
  • Got 2 B Alone 03:15
  • The Worst Part 03:58
  • Don't Laugh 02:52
  • First and Second Chronicles 03:39
  • Honey, I Know 03:09

Bristopher Crowder / C.L. Browder (2004-2005)

Bristopher Crowder 'Please Eat These Songs I Made For You' artwork
Original artwork
Bristopher Crowder 'Please Eat These Songs I Made For You' artwork
Later artwork, restored

Please Eat These Songs I Made For You

Label: none
Date: ~2004-2005
Media: MP3

Tracklist:
  1. White Houses (Vanessa Carlton) 04:01
  2. Fantasy (Mariah Carey) 03:11
  3. If It Makes You Happy (Sheryl Crow) 04:41
  4. The Long Day Is Over (Norah Jones) 02:39
  5. The New Violence (Emanuel) 04:11
  6. Untitled 4 ('Njósnavélin') 03:46
  7. Hot In Herre (Nelly) 03:38
  8. Don't Tell Me (Avril Lavigne) 03:27
  9. Maps Maps Maps (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) 03:06
  10. Come Clean about Black History Month (Hillary Duff / Death From Above 1979) 03:53
  11. Buy American Machines (Emanuel) 03:20
  12. Champagne Supernova (Oasis) 05:25

These tracks were released in an ongoing series that's significant as it's the first "solo" work Chris Browder released online.


Once More (Than Never) (2004-2005)

Once More Than Never 'People Ruins Things' Artwork

People Ruins Things

Label: Sophomore Lounge
Date: 2005
Media: CD

Tracklist:
  1. Officially the Baddest Dunker 01:44
  2. Leighton, ME 02:59
  3. In The Year 3030 Everyone Will Be An MC 02:58
  4. Grey's Report on Minorities 03:11
  5. Rest in Pizza 04:40
  6. We're Robbers 04:04
  7. We Were Just an Actor 04:09
  8. Family Dinner Week 03:56
  9. You're Such a Good Driver 03:28
  10. For You We Would Build the Taj 04:40
  11. Tsai Invents The Home Run 04:51
  12. Pfeifer Smoked Me, Then She Died 03:48

Once More Than Never 'Summer Demo' Artwork

Summer Demo

Label: self-released
Date: Summmer 2004
Media: MP3 (Purevolume)

Tracklist:
  1. ???? ??:??
  2. ???? ??:??
  3. ???? ??:??

Not much is known about this demo. By the time it arrived on my Radar, Purevolume's data had been purged and the Internet Archive was barred from retaining any data related to the site.


Once More Than Never 'I Leave Town Tomorrow' Artwork

I Leave Town Tomorrow

Label: self-released
Date: February 06, 2024
Media: CD

Tracklist:
  1. Introduction To Saying Goodbye 03:00
  2. Welcome To Carolina 04:14
  3. Brick By Brick 04:09
  4. I'm Sorry This Is Not Fun In The Least 03:54
  5. Dancefloor Romance 03:40
  6. Everyone Dies Alone 03:54
  7. The Truth Behind Ambient Noise 03:50
  8. The Blizzard of '03 04:13
  9. So This Is Goodbye 04:28
  10. In Memory of Joe Carter 03:51
  11. Like It's 1620 05:21
  12. Most Vs. Forever 04:18

Once More Than Never 'And It's You' Artwork

And It's You

Tracklist:
  1. And It's You ??:??

This was a song demoed by Christopher while he was in college. It's been described as "mellow with a techno-ish vibe." It was available for download on Once More Than Never's university-hosted web page.


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