It's been a long journey for Tegan and Sara from mainly folksy acoustic performers to indie rock darlings. Well the twins take another step along that journey with their new album Sainthood (out October 27th).
The album is the follow-up to 2007's The Con (which I had as the album of the year when it was released) and once again Death Cab For Cutie's Chris Walla is behind the console. The results are a tangible stretching of the sisters' comfort zone.
Programming and electronics are far more prominent on the record than on any previous efforts from the duo. On some of those tracks, like the opener "Arrow", those electronics meld seamlessly with vocal harmonies and big hooks to create unshakable sounds. On other occasions, like on "Don't Rush", the electronics are used to accent heavy guitar and bass lines, pumping out some of the most throbbingly powerful music in the Quin's catalogue.
In other instances the electronic slant of the music falls flat. The blips and bloops of track such as "Night Watch!" and "Alligator" are too Postal Service, sounding incredibly odd when coupled with the vocal harmonies of the twins. In the worst case the lovely hook and flow of "Paperback" is ruined by its passive and awkward electronic backing.
We also get some of the heaviest riffs that we've ever heard from Tegan and Sara. "Hell" features a shredding guitar line with an '80s dance pop bent, while "Northshore" is a slice of inspired breakneck punk rock.
When the elements work in unison, like on The Con-style "The Cure" or the confrontational toe-tapper "Sentimental Tune", it makes for an undeniably enjoyable listen.
Tegan and Sara play Massey Hall in Toronto on January 19th and the Kool Haus on January 20th.
Best tracks: "Arrow", "Someday"
Track listing for Sainthood:
- Arrow
- Don't Rush
- Hell
- On Directing
- Red Belt
- The Cure
- Northshore
- Night Watch!
- Alligator
- Paperback
- The Ocean
- Sentimental Tune
- Someday
8.0/10
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