Two years after the release of "The Con," (2007), Tegan and Sara have more than made up for any sins they committed in the past. Their Oct. 27 release "Sainthood" (2009) draws from their previous two works — "The Con" and "So Jealous" (2004) — but its weightier content proves the duo is still progressing.
Tegan and Sara Quin are a folk-indie duo from Canada who happen to be identical twins. Their harmonizing voices reveal them to be ingenious, melodious free spirits, and together they create life-altering songs. The duo's new wave-ish music is uncommonly catchy and their witty lyrics compel listeners to empathize. Their sound bears similarities to bands as diverse as Modest Mouse, Frou Frou, Paramore, The Shins and Feist, but Tegan and Sara have managed to carve out a style of their own.
Though their latest release, "Sainthood," sounds like a hybrid of their two preceding albums, it is emotionally deeper and more musically progressive than their previous works. It is also the first album for which the sisters wrote every song together. In a press release, Tegan and Sara state that this album was inspired by "emotional longing and the quiet actions [they] hope may be noticed by the objects of [their] affection. ‘Sainthood' is about obsession with romantic ideals." It stems from a tragic break-up and demonstrates longing, passion, introspection and resilience in every song.
The first song on "Sainthood," "Arrow," sets the tone for all that follows. Departing from the predominantly acoustic feel of their previous music, this song utilizes piquant electronic jolts of sound that mark rhythm, while blending in a defining drumbeat and faint, melodious guitars. The sisters are noticeably more willing to experiment with their sound than in the past. Their lyrics, too, break the mold they established with their previous two works. The first words uttered in "Arrow" are "Would you take a straight and narrow, critical look at me?/ Would you tell me tough-love/ Put judicial weight on me?" These words portray relationships from a different perspective than did the duo's earlier songs.
The third track in the album is "Hell," which was previously released as a single. This song begins with heavy guitar riffs and the lyrics "No, I'm not ready for a big, bad step in that direction/ Girl's afraid, girl will change/ Get ahead, get a hand, and bring her with you." These lines denote an unwillingness to let go of a relationship. The song moves on to Tegan and Sara's characteristic rhythmic, entertaining word games with "No, we're not ready for hell, hell no, for hell, hell no." Their changes in intonation make the junction of words intriguing and fun to listen to.
The album carries on with emotionally-driven songs like "The Ocean," which muses about relationships with the words, "So, it's been so long since you said, ‘Well, I know what I want, and what I want is right here with you'." The song "Sentimental Tune" likewise presents a voice ready to fight in order to save a relationship. The duo croons, "Hard-hearted, don't worry, I'm ready for a fight/ Watch, with a bit of friction I'll be under your clothes/ With a bit of focus I'll be under your skin." These tracks and others represent the newfound depth and convincing emotion that Tegan and Sara have brought to their new album.
It is hard to not find a head-bobbing or body-jolting rhythmic pattern in any Tegan and Sara song. They continue to produce music that is characterized by sharp, repetitive choruses and driving bass lines, and their thought-provoking lyrics and ear-catching intonations are sure to make every album they release a worthwhile listen — something that "Sainthood" most definitely is. Build a shrine, put on this album and pay Tegan and Sara respect; the girls have produced something truly heavenly in this new release.
