Young Canadian twins Tegan and Sara Quin have been recording since 1999 and have released three albums, and a DVD prior to this latest release. Chris Walla, Death Cab For Cutie guitarist, has co-produced this album with the twins and has added a rock immediacy to the girls’ pop sound. The album was released in the States last year and garnered huge praise from the likes of The New York Times (“One of the year’s best albums”) and Billboard (“Full of classy melodies”). The twins have toured with some important artists including Neil Young, Rufus Wainwright, The Killers, and Ryan Adams. The White Stripes also covered their USA radio hit ‘Walking With A Ghost’ on their EP of the same name. So, the girls have gained the respect of both critics and peers and so I was eager to hear them on this new album.

The PR material refers to the girls’ music as ‘infectious new wave pop’ and who am I to argue. Pop it certainly is despite the presence of some pretty assertive rock guitar and drums. The girls are certainly distinctive with their high pitched, razor sharp vocals and reading the album’s sleeve notes their songs are rather obtuse with young lover’s angst clearly a feature. Opening track ‘I Was Married’ is an album highlight primarily due to its original, more stripped-down sound and attention-grabbing vocals. The girls are touring very soon and this track alone makes me want to see them perform live. Next track, ‘Relief Next Time’, opens up sonically with its upbeat vibe and vibrant choruses. ‘The Con’ is to the girls’ first download single and boasts the best melody on the record along with some of the strongest guitar passages here. It’s also epic in scale and the album’s best track. ‘Knife Going In’ offers a darker vibe that is not altogether convincing while next song ‘Are You Ten Years Ago’, with its bullet-speed pace sees the girls back on form. ‘Back In Your Head’ is another potential single with its distinctive and catchy chorus.

Later in the album repetition starts to seep in but taken as a whole it offers a vibrant, distinctive alternative to today’s mainstream pop. It’s also an album that gets better with each listen, and leaves me wanting to see the girls live where I think their music could explode big-time…can’t wait!

4/5