Tegan and Sara Release Sixth LP
"Sainthood" Offers Another Dose of Unique Pop
Danielle McFall
Tegan and Sara, the current femme fatales of indie rock, have rounded up another savvy album titled "Sainthood." This well-put together album is an audio delight with adorably rich vocals paired with satisfying electronic and acoustic instrumentality. The Canadian-born identical twins have a clear understanding of one another's musical ideas, and that synthesis is present throughout this album. Tegan and Sara have toured with the likes of Neil Young, Ben Folds, The Pretenders, Cake, Weezer, and Rufus Rainwright, giving them some serious live musical credentials.
For their sixth album, these indie darlings have really reached the next level of musical development. The album starts out with the catchy, heavily electronic "Arrow." The distorted electro-beats immediately catch the listener's attention, creating tension, which is then balanced by Sara's stellar vocals. The third track, "Night Watch", reflects some truly soulful vocal talent, mixed pleasantly with erratic guitar riffs and beats, creating a distinct, chic sound. Each song brings something different to "Sainthood," forming a deliciously diverse album.
Tegan and Sara's lyrics on "Sainthood" continue to maintain their unique style while also exploring the depths of musical maturity. Sara's songwriting style is much more eccentric, while Tegan's writing style is much more indie-rock-pop. In the poppy tune "On Directing," they proclaim, "I know it turns you off when I get talking like a teen," demonstrating that they may have "grown up." "Sainthood" has a fair balance of both styles, creating an interesting and varied album. The single of the album, "Hell," is the upbeat and charismatic epitome of what Tegan and Sara can do with indie rock. With interesting lyrics and perfect chord progressions, they have redefined the perfect indie pop sound, yet again.
The album art perfectly matches the twins' engrossing musicality with black and white contrasts and arty photography. The entire layout of the album reflects everything that Tegan and Sara are about: indie pop, stark contrasts, and modern style. Tegan and Sara took a modernized approach to promotion by streaming the album on MySpace before its October 27th release. They also allowed fans to preorder a matching book and CD, showing true devotion to diehard fans.
If you are a fan of indie, pop, or rock, this album is definitely worth a listen. Even if you have never been exposed to the interesting variety of Tegan and Sara, there is a little something on this album for everyone. Whether you are having a dance party or just looking for some uplifting music, "Sainthood" is a good choice.

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