lambchops's Full Review: So Jealous [Digipak] by Tegan and Sara
In all my years of loving music, I’ve never stumbled across an act that so seamlessly combined two simultaneous (and identical) female voices and oh-so sweet indie pop melodies. The closest I can say would be the Scottish Belle & Sebastian, but their sound is much more sparkly than that of Canadian twin sisters Tegan and Sara. I’ve said about a dozen times, but it’s time to say it again—Canadians rock.
Natives of Calgary, Alberta the duo began performing in 1998. It was that same year that they got their first big break. First earning kudos in a local competition, then scoring a slot on the Lilith Fair tour and finally earning a coveted record deal in 2000. Since then, they have released three albums and have gotten plenty of positive press. Their sound is simple and evocative with hints of folks, pop, and rock. The idea works perfectly and their divine harmonies are what really set them apart from the indie-pop pack. In 2004, So Jealous hit shelves and spawned a whole new wave of listeners.
So Jealous is a fabulous, gorgeous, and wonderful album. I could list at least a few dozen more adjectives that would be just as perfectly suited to Tegan and Sara’s third album but that would be a waste of time. Instead, take the time saved from not reading those words and run out and buy this album immediately. Indie-pop and female vocalist fans will find great unexpected joy in this disc. The sisterly chemistry is impeccable—I couldn’t have asked for anything more from such a new and unproven act.
The first song I had the luck of hearing was Walking With a Ghost. Canadian radio jumped all over the track for good reason—it is amazing. The two write concise, catchy tunes that are as timely as they are classic. Their voices are small and the sound despite being rooted in folk elements is rich and unpredictable. This song is particularly striking in its originality and is one great reason to pick this disc up. The stark acoustic guitars that open the track are distinctive. As the song progresses, the vocals only surpass this excellence. I respect that the two completely command a song without any real need for flourishes. This track leaves me particularly impressed.
Fortunately Tegan and Sara also provide me with plenty of other emotional outlets. There are great songs scattered throughout including but by no means limited to You Won’t Like Me, I Know I Know I Know, I Won’t Be Left, and We Didn’t Do It. The common thread through each of these tracks is that they are upbeat with unusual melodies and percussion. The strange but immediately appealing arrangements are what really set Tegan and Sara apart from the crowd. I Know I Know I Know is dominated by a systematically strummed bass guitar and the girls’ complimentary vocals. It chunk-chunks to the beat of a different kind of pop oriented drum. Album opener You Won’t Like Me plays a similar aural game with acoustic guitars and acts as the perfect introduction. The initial pleasant surprise the album brings is only reinforced as So Jealous progresses through the punk influenced I Won’t Be Left and beyond.
While I absolutely adore this album and would without doubt recommend it to just about everybody I am also turned off slightly by a few songs because of the gratuitous use of a synthesizer. The synths work brilliantly in Walking With the Ghost while on other occasions I would prefer them to have been left out entirely. The title track, So Jealous opens with a very 1980s Depeche Mode style synth that leaves much to be desired. The problem resolves relatively (save for a notable mid-song regression) quickly but I’m left with a bad taste in my musical mouth. There is a similar issue with the synth-heavy Speak Slow. The song itself is upbeat and fast paced but the unnatural and cold sound of the “instrument.” These are the only two moments that really eat away at my perception of this album. Otherwise it is flawless.
New, original, and innately talented acts are all too rare in this awful age of emo, punk-pop and self-important no-talents. Tegan and Sara are a bright light on the horizon. Their music is excellent and their talent is unmistakable. Run over to your nearest record shop. Give these Canadians a chance, eh?!
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Track Listing:
01. You Wouldn’t Like Me
02. Take Me Anywhere
03. I Bet It Stung
04. I Know I Know I Know
05. Where Does the Good Go
06. Downtown
07. I Won’t Be Left
08. Walking With a Ghost
09. So Jealous
10. Speak Slow
11. Wake Up Exhausted
12. We Didn’t Do It
13. Fix You Up
14. I Can’t Take It
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