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)
New Love Cassette
Label: Bad Timing Records
Date: February 22, 2024
Media: Digital
- 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' 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.
Old Best Friends
Label: self-released
Date: October 29, 2021
Media: 12" LP, Digital
- Never Enuff
03:17 - Out For Blood
03:40 - Call Me When It's Over
03:02 - Talk Talk Talk
03:30 - Leader of the Pack
03:21 - Seven Years
03:50 - The Economist
04:32 - Holidaze
03:36 - High Numbers
03:53 - Climbers
03:36 - PPV
02:36 - 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.
Driver's License / 21st Century Vampire
Label: self-released
Date: Summer 2021
Media: Digital
- Driver’s License (Olivia Rodrigo cover)
04:27 - 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.
Best of the Bees (20th Anniversary Edition)
Label: Bad Timing Records
Date: November 2020
Media: 12" Vinyl
- OMG
03:53 - I Swear
04:01 - Never Enuff
03:26 - Last to Leave
03:49 - Let's Be Sad Together
03:35 - You Got Caught
03:48 - 18th Bday
02:20 - Unwell
02:59 - The Constant
03:15 - When I Sleep
04:13 - 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.
Recorded from July through September 2020, these new takes on cuts from Big Bad were released as a digital-exclusive.
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.
2010 Rare and Unreleased
Label: self-released
Date: June 05, 2020
Media: Digital
- Blackest Sky (demo)
03:45 - Wormhole (alternate version)
02:59 - Seven Years (demo)
03:29 - You Got Cool (demo)
03:33 - When You Said Goodbye
03:29 - Lost
03:04 - Somewhere You Can't Go
03:43 - Don't Worry
03:37 - Temporary
03:55 - 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.
Deserter EP
Label: Bad Timing Records
Date: November 3, 2017
Media: 12" LP, Cassette
- Heel Theme
04:08 - High Numbers
04:28 - I Feel Worse
03:22 - No Shows
03:34 - Brain Fog
04:47 - 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.
The Biggest Lie / Tangerine
Label: Bad Timing Records
Date: March 3, 2014
Media: 7"
- The Biggest Lie
04:11 - 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’ fourth full-length album, and the second release from the band on Clifton Motel Records. Cassettes by Pretty Lush.
C'est Le Fin Dumonde / Heavy Dungeon Echo
Label: Burning House Records / Collective Confusion Records
Date: October 2, 2012
Media: 7"
- John Nolan - C'est Le Fin Dumonde
05:15 - 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.
Can I Borrow This? Vol. I
Label: Burning House Records
Date: November 24, 2011
Media: Digital
- Tumbledown - Silver Things
02:47 - Mansions - Miserable Without You
03:27 - Jarrod Gorbel - She Doesn't Get It
03:55 - The Young Dudes - Late Again
01:59 - Sam Means - Big Drag
02:24 - 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.
Dig Up The Dead (Acoustic)
Label: Burning House Records / Bad Timing Records
Date: April 15, 2011
Media: 12" LP, CD-R
- Blackest Sky (acoustic)
03:18 - Call Me When It's Over (acoustic)
03:01 - City Don't Care (acoustic)
04:18 - Close That Door (acoustic)
03:19 - Dig Up The Dead (acoustic)
03:54 - Not My Blood (acoustic)
03:56 - Seven Years (acoustic)
03:32 - Wormhole (acoustic)
03:32 - Yer Voice (acoustic)
03:37 - 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.
Dig Up The Dead
Label: Burning House Records
Date: April 15, 2011
Media: 12" LP, CD, Cassette
- Blackest Sky
03:18 - Call Me When It's Over
03:01 - City Don't Care
04:18 - Close That Door
03:19 - Dig Up The Dead
03:54 - Not My Blood
03:56 - Seven Years
03:32 - Wormhole
03:32 - Yer Voice
03:37 - You Got Cool
04:05 - 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.
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.
Thyme Travel EP
Label: Cougar Child Tapes
Date: July 20, 2009
Media: Cassette
- Unwell
02:48 - Family Dinner Week
03:33 - All Those Dreams
02:50 - 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.
Manbox
Label: Kings Bones Recordings / Doghouse Records
Date: March 31, 2009
Media: CD, Digital
- Broken Head
03:03 - Ahoma Coma
05:21 - 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.
New Best Friends
Label: Sophomore Lounge / Doghouse Records
Date: March 3, 2009
Media: 12" LP, CD
- I Told a Lie
01:08 - Talk Talk Talk
04:17 - Por Favor Is Spanish
03:43 - Holidaze
03:28 - Curacao Blue
04:28 - Insulated
04:29 - Take It Back
03:15 - Gotta Be Alone
03:38 - The Worst Part
03:27 - Substitute Angel
03:03 - Millions of Pieces
04:00 - 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".
The EP Initiative
Label: Sophomore Lounge / Doghouse Records
Date: March 3, 2009
Media: MP3 CD
- OMG
03:52 - I Swear
04:00 - Never Enuff
03:27 - Last To Leave
03:51 - LtsBSdTgthr
03:35 - When I Sleep
04:06 - Shoes On, Pants Off
03:19 - The Constant
03:13 - Seven Eleven
01:08 - 18th B-Day
02:22 - You Got Caught
03:50 - When She's Not Around
04:02 - I Told a Lie (Remix)
04:10 - The Worst Part (Remix)
03:46 - Curacao Blue (Remix)
04:03 - Gotta Be Alone (16)
03:50 - All Eyes on You (Remix)
03:23 - Insulated (Remix)
03:40 - Talk Talk Talk (Remix)
04:14 - Substitute Angel (Acoustic Version)
03:24 - Take It Back (Acoustic Version)
04:07 - Por Favor Is Spanish (Acoustic Version)
04:07 - Millions of Pieces (Acoustic Version)
03:57 - Holidaze (Acoustic Version)
04:15 - Tangerine (Acoustic Version)
04:21 - The Worst Part (Demo)
03:14 - Gotta Be Alone (Demo)
03:04 - Por Favor Is Spanish (Demo)
03:26 - Substitute Angel (Demo)
03:13 - Millions of Pieces (Demo)
03:49 - Curacao Blue (Demo)
04:22 - I Told a Lie (Demo)
04:02 - All Eyes on You (Demo)
01:32 - Holidaze (Demo)
04:20 - Insulated (Demo)
03:57 - Take It Back (Demo)
03:32 - Tangerine (Demo)
04:21 - 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 EP
Label: Doghouse Records
Date: August 2008
Media: Enhanced CD
- The Worst Part
03:28 - Take It Back
03:16 - Tangerine
04:30 - The Biggest Lie
04:11
- Not The First Time (Home Recording / Acoustic)
03:18 - The Worst Part (Acoustic)
03:37 - 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 LP
Label: Sophomore Lounge Records
Date: Summer 2007
Media: CD
- The Worst Part
03:20 - Sustitute Angel
02:59 - Por Favor Is Spanish
03:22 - Not the First Time
02:47 - Gotta Be Alone
03:35 - Curacao Blue
04:14 - Just Leave It Alone
03:12 - I Told a Lie
04:04 - Great Big Plan
03:31 - Millions of Pieces
03:39 - 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
- She Said
02:51 - Up In Smoke
02:50 - What I Came For
02:59 - This Little Thing
02:50 - Underground
02:26 - Silent Hill
03:22 - You
03:52
Good Driver EP
Label: none
Date: 2006
Media: n/a
- Gotta Be Alone
03:46 - Por Favor Is Spanish
03:25 - She Said
03:40 - The Worst Part
03:34
Don't Sweat It
Label: none
Date: 2005
Media: n/a
- 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)
Please Eat These Songs I Made For You
Label: none
Date: ~2004-2005
Media: MP3
- White Houses (Vanessa Carlton)
04:01 - Fantasy (Mariah Carey)
03:11 - If It Makes You Happy (Sheryl Crow)
04:41 - The Long Day Is Over (Norah Jones)
02:39 - The New Violence (Emanuel)
04:11 - Untitled 4 ('Njósnavélin')
03:46 - Hot In Herre (Nelly)
03:38 - Don't Tell Me (Avril Lavigne)
03:27 - Maps Maps Maps (Yeah Yeah Yeahs)
03:06 - Come Clean about Black History Month (Hillary Duff / Death From Above 1979)
03:53 - Buy American Machines (Emanuel)
03:20 - 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)
People Ruins Things
Label: Sophomore Lounge
Date: 2005
Media: CD
- Officially the Baddest Dunker
01:44 - Leighton, ME
02:59 - In The Year 3030 Everyone Will Be An MC
02:58 - Grey's Report on Minorities
03:11 - Rest in Pizza
04:40 - We're Robbers
04:04 - We Were Just an Actor
04:09 - Family Dinner Week
03:56 - You're Such a Good Driver
03:28 - For You We Would Build the Taj
04:40 - Tsai Invents The Home Run
04:51 - Pfeifer Smoked Me, Then She Died
03:48
Summer Demo
Label: self-released
Date: Summmer 2004
Media: MP3 (Purevolume)
- ????
??:?? - ????
??:?? - ????
??:??
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.
I Leave Town Tomorrow
Label: self-released
Date: February 06, 2024
Media: CD
- Introduction To Saying Goodbye
03:00 - Welcome To Carolina
04:14 - Brick By Brick
04:09 - I'm Sorry This Is Not Fun In The Least
03:54 - Dancefloor Romance
03:40 - Everyone Dies Alone
03:54 - The Truth Behind Ambient Noise
03:50 - The Blizzard of '03
04:13 - So This Is Goodbye
04:28 - In Memory of Joe Carter
03:51 - Like It's 1620
05:21 - Most Vs. Forever
04:18
And It's You
- 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.