Tegan and Sara have put out an intriguing new release titled The Con. This twin sister team nails the contradictions and insecurities faced in relationships, and they carry it out in the most harmonic way.
Tegan and Sara layer their voices together on mostly melodic pop hooks. And even though the squeaky-clean production kills some of the emotion conveyed in their songs, this CD is most worthy for car drives away from your lover, if only for the mere integrity of the lyrics and layered harmonies that abound.
One of the beauties that stand out is on the shorter side. “Soil,Soil” is sprinkled with soft piano and guitar, with the bass barely audible. Almost a kill ’em with kindness sort of dark lullaby…”Call and I’ll be curled on the floor hiding out from it all. And I won’t take any other call. I feel like a fool so I’m going to stop troubling you.”
“Back In Your Head” is a much poppy tune with quirky organ, piano, guitar and shakers in the faint background. “When I jerk away from holding hands with you, I know these habits hurt important parts of you. Remember when I was sweet and unexplainable? Nothing like this person, un-loveable.” Bespeaks perfectly the contradictions of love.
“Like O, Like h” is a disturbing song, and somewhat vague in context. Even with the lyrics, this song is a little bit light on the clarity of context. Otherwise, it is an intensely driven murky plead for something or someone.
Generally speaking, this is a mostly melodic, pop-driven, dual harmony laden CD that bespeaks of insecurities faced in childhood and adulthood, and the fear and awkwardness that plagues most people at some point in their lives.