Tegan amp Sara - So Jealous (14 tracks) +Album Reviews

I CAN'T WO WO WO WO

KEEPitREAL | LA | 01/27/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is hands down the best punky pop cd since the gogo's beauty and the beat. I can't get the melodies out of my head. Every song grows on me more each time. "I Know I Know I Know" is total ear candy with just enough kick to be fun. "Fine By You" is delicous grrr rock, and the finale "I Can't Take It" reminds me of such classic enders as "Only in My Dreams" on the Weezer blue album. Do purchase. The best album this year by FAR!"

You'll be "So Jealous" you didn't write this album

Just Me | New Jersey | 09/17/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This record is pure bliss. I listened to it from start to finish, not skipping around to songs i was curious to hear, I just went through each song one at a time. And there was none that I felt the need to skip. Some of the Sara tunes are a bit obscure, but in a good way.

What I like best about all the songs is that Tegan and Sara have managed to perfectly blend in all these elements and not have it sound like too much. Most of the songs start off simple and little by little a different instrument is heard till it explodes into the chorus. In "You Wouldn't Like Me", the electric guitar kicks in on the 2nd verse, after the acoustic guitar, but not right away. It waits a measure (I think that's the right term) and then joins in with the acoustic.

Early in their career Tegan and Sara were more acoustically based. But even more then their last one, "So Jealous" proves that they can rock out as well. Many of the songs have synthesizers or other keyboard type instruments. This is a very welcome addition to Tegan and Sara's new sound. It gives the songs a retro vibe in a moderate and pleasing way, so it's not overwhelming.

I think my overall favorite song right now is "Speak Slow". I fell in love with the acoustic VH1 version thinking, it's going to be different, I may not like the studio one. I was wrong, the studio version rocks. It's one of those songs you'd put on to wake yourself up, or play blasting and singing along in the car with the windows open (while paying close attention to the road of course). One thing I noticed about "Speak Slow" that I love is how the drums go along with Tegan's vocals on the part where she sings "i am so alone, so alone". It's just a great song all around.

Vocally, Tegan and Sara are sounding pretty great as well. The leads are easy to understand and perfectly blend with the vibe of the song. And the harmonies adds a nice backdrop making the songs that much more addicting. Also I find it's easier to tell who is singing. I don't know if that's because I am getting to "know" them better, or if they have developed different singing styles over the years. Maybe a combo of both?

Overall I think this album is amazing, it shows that Tegan and Sara have more than one style, which in my book is what keeps artists interesting and keeps them going. I highly recommend it for any true music fan to get."

Best thing I've heard in the past year

Steve Morrison | 01/30/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
I should admit that my motivation for writing this review - I never write Amazon reviews - is just to help kick this album up to its rightful 5-star rating. (Is Hughes Orsetti a creep or what?)

I was turned on to this record by a recommendation from USA Today's website (of all places!) and they instantly became my New Favorite Band. What excellent songs, my goodness. This is easily one of the best records of 2004.

The thing that freaks me out about Tegan and Sara is that they write songs separately, each having very much their own style, yet their respective songs complement the other's so well. Two great songwriters for the price of one. Either could make outstanding records on her own if she wanted to, but I'm glad they stick together. They're stronger that way. Tegan strikes me as a little more classic pop: I definitely hear an early Pretenders influence in her melodies, and that's not a bad thing. "I Know I Know I Know" and "Wake Up Exhausted" both have a lovely, lilting swoon to them that reminds me of Chrissie Hynde's best songs. Great stuff. Sara's songs are, as others here have noted, a little more experimental on this record, often with thrilling results. "So Jealous," with its unpredictable structure and ever-changing dynamics, makes a perfect title song for the record. When the song gets to the chorus and Sara wails "I GET SO JEALLLLOUSS!" - it's a goosebump moment. Brilliant.

I've given up on trying to predict when a group will hit it big. There doesn't seem to be any connection these days between merit and success. We have to hear about all these crappy teen pop-stars while awesomely talented artists are shoved off to the indie music fringe. I just don't get it. Do Tegan and Sara deserve to be hugely successful? You bet they do. Will they be? I honestly don't know. I hope so. Their songwriting is right at the front rank of the best stuff that's out there right now. And they're very charismatic, very charming, very everything. What's not to like? Who doesn't like excellent, emotional power-pop? If Tegan and Sara, with all their obvious greatness, don't attain a high level of popularity sometime soon, I will lose all faith in humanity.

If you like Tegan and Sara, the best thing you can do to help them is simply: spread the word. Every single one of my friends that I've recommended them to is now a fan. Good taste will prevail! There is still hope! Thank you and goodnight!"

Probably the most underrated Canadian group there is

Cloud | Canada | 10/09/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Many groups in Canada simply do not get the recognition they should. For every talented bands that make it south of the border like Rush or Guess Who, there's untalented ones like Avril Lavigne or Sum 41. Tegan and Sara are a pretty well-known group in Canada and have very little recognition in the States, which is too bad. They've released 3 records so far that have been excellent and they're still not well-known. Oh well, guess we can rub it in some american's face that they have to settle with Good Charlotte while we have Tegan and Sara and many others.

You Wouldn't Like Me(Tegan): Like Lennon and McCartney, each girl sings the song they've written instead of having a chief songwriter. This is a Tegan song and probably her best on here. A driving rhythm and an incredibly catchy melody make it a great opener. 10/10

Take Me Anywhere(Tegan): A nice upbeat song, catchy chorus, and some nice background vocals. There's a 2nd guitar near the end but I can barely hear it but that's ok. 9/10

I Bet It Stung(Sara): Definately Sara's best on here. An incredibly driving rhythm makes it an almost epic-like quality for a 3 minute song. One complaint is her lead vocal sounds strange like when you talk into a fan but that's a minor complaint for what would be a great single if they made it one. 10/10

I Know I Know I Know(Tegan): It's a lot of people's favorite but maybe after the last song, it doesn't hit much but it's still good. I like the 2nd guitar during the pre-chorus and the end though, very effective. 8/10

Where Does the Good Go(Tegan): The bassline sounds funny but it's another good song where both girls sing parts together rather than separately or one's mixed a bit low in the background. Love the chorus. 8/10

Downtown(Sara): Finally we get to a Sara song and again it's a good one. Very sad-sounding chord progression with a quite catchy chorus. And is it me, or does the song seem to be about oral sex? Just wondering. 9/10

I Won't Be Left(Tegan): Back to Tegan and opens with an almost punk-like guitar opening before the acoustic comes in. The background vocals are quite effective too. 8/10

Walking With a Ghost(Sara): The first single and the guitar melody is so catchy you probably can't help but pick up one and play along if you have one. It even has synth from Matt Sharp(ex-Weezer bassist). It's a bit repetitive but it sounds better like that to me. 8/10

So Jealous(Sara): Starts off with some interesting synth before the acoustic comes in and then explodes into the chorus when everyone comes in. 9/10

Speak Slow(Tegan): The second single and a very upbeat rock song. Great rhythm and a catchy chorus with it's "ah-ahh!" part at the end. Probably my favorite bridge on the record. 9/10

Wake Up Exhausted(Tegan): If it seems the songs are more lopsided to Tegan, they are, she has 8, Sara has 6. Oh well. Another standout with a weird fuzzy guitar after the verses. The "are you alright?" line for some reason I just like listening to. 9/10

We Didn't Do It(Sara): The opening guitar line almost reminds me of Walking With a Ghost but must be me. While the verses seem kind of poppy, the chorus is probably my favorite. The synthline combined with the rest of the instruments makes for a great chorus. If only the verses didn't seem lopsided. 8/10

Fix You Up(Tegan): The last Tegan song and it's pretty good with my favorite part being the chorus where both girls sing then later when it's repeated but it's full band. Probably my second favorite Tegan song on here after You Wouldn't Like Me. 9/10

I Can't Take It(Sara): The last Sara and album closer and to be honest, it's probably my least favorite although it's nicely sung. They should've switched this with Fix You Up and it would've been a better closer.

Tegan and Sara are in that group "talented unknowns": they have the capability to be bigger than they are but for some reason people focus elsewhere(and I'm sure you know plenty of examples of this). But with each new release, they consistently get better, even if not a lot of people are listening."

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