Arts
Book Review: Still a Steeler's Fan: a gay son's book for his parents
CD Review: Tegan & Sara
Punky Spunky Twins Turn Out Twice the Singer-Songwriter Sound
Tegan and Sara
If It Was You
Vapor Records, 2002
by Lluvia Mulvaney-Stanak
Some of the best things in life come in pairs. Peanut butter and jelly. Peas and carrots. Vanilla and chocolate. Musically, this has not necessarily been true – Donny and Marie? Duran Duran? Milli Vanilli? Eh, not so much. When it comes to lip-syncing a little bit of country or rock n’ roll, I’m hungry like a wolf, but for good music I turn to the indie music world. The time has come to introduce you to a new, hip, and cute duo that are bound to make you do a musical double take. Tegan and Sara are sisters, twins, and – even better – lesbians!
Are you sick of the solo, emotionally tortured singer-songwriter? Well, even if you are not, it’s time to change that Ferrick or Ani CD and put in a fresh disc that will hit those same emotional chords. Hailing from Vancouver, Canada, Tegan and Sara have gone back to their punky roots to make an album that will make you tap your foot and sing out loud.
If It Was You has simple, hard-hitting lyrics that will make you remember those first loves, harsh breakups and even those bizarre living arrangements. “Time Running,” “Monday, Monday, Monday,” and “City Girl” are definite crowd pleasers. “Living Room” will make all of you who rent smile, as it puts into musical terms what it means to have your windows look into the house of the folks next to you. Nothing like getting dressed in front of your neighbors!
Barely of legal drinking age, these young women are taking the indie music scene by storm. For those of you who have heard of this snazzy sister pair, this sophomore effort, If It Was You (2002), is hip, poppy, and harder-edged than their debut album, This Business of Art (2000).
Taking a page from Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo, Tegan is the songwriter workhorse, penning a tune daily. Sara goes for the minimalist approach and produces a handful of songs a year. In true fairness (any twin will tell you, being fair is a huge part of the dynamic between twinees), the sisters both contribute equally to the song line-up on the record.
Stylistically, the album certainly comes across as a work of enjoyment. Sara remarked, “In the past, there’s been some apprehension about recording. This time it was fun.” Sources close to the sisters reveal that this record was conceived on a small island way off the mainland of Vancouver. A cabin, the rolling surf, and random wildlife all served as a backdrop – can you imagine Britney Spears doing this for her next record? I think not.
These gals have shared the stage with Bryan Adams, Neil Young and the Pretenders, and even gay heartthrob Rufus Wainwright. Their live show borders on humor and all-out war. Apparently the Quinn twins are known for their sisterly verbal bickering on stage. Hey we all enjoy singers who interact with the audience, and a little good-humored sisterly combat is icing on the cake. Just off a tour with Ryan Adams and currently touring throughout their home country of Canada, they are bound to hit the States again and with authority, since they now have a full band. Check out their website for the latest tour info: www.teganandsara.com.
Mixing their punky past with folky banjo strums, driving snare beats and smooth vocals from the twins – Tegan and Sara’s new album is sure to please both rock and folk fans. Okay, find a musical group: sounds like, um... Weezer and the Pixies on the rocks with a double Tori Amos. In a time when most artists struggle to cut a chart topping single, these ladies have managed to go old school and produce a musically diverse and quality album from track one to twelve.
Two gals. Two guitars. Two Virgos. Album Two. Good stuff.
Always remember: buy the indies, burn the biggies.
Lluvia Mulvaney-Stanak’s first name means “rain.” When she’s not working at Outright Vermont, she enjoys music in Burlington.