Tegan and Sara go pop

This is such a nice surprise. I got a copy of Heartthrob, the new album by the Canadian twin sisters duo, Tegan and Sara. It is a surprise because I didn’t think that the music of the talented group is available locally. Great to know that it is now. It is also a surprise because the girls continue to evolve and have come up with a new pop sound. I am reminded of the Scandinavian duo Roxette.  Remember, It Must Have Been Love? But lighter and sweeter.

Tegan and Sara, a singing, songwriting team made up of Tegan Rain Quin and Sarah Kiersten Quin, was formed in Calgary, Alberta in 1999. Their music was soft, folksy, guitar-based and very laid-back. Their sound easily captivated the indie music scene. Their songs also went big with teenage fans, who instantly related to their tales of adolescent dilemmas and heartbreak.

Tegan and Sara have since then recorded six albums, Under Feet Like Ours, This Business Of Art, If It  Was You, So Jealous, The Con and Sainthood. Among their big hit singles were If It Was You, The Con, Alligator and Walking With A Ghost. They have gone on tours with the likes of Bryan Adams, The Killers, Paramore, The Black Keys and Jack Johnson.

Heartthrob is Tegan and Sara’s seventh album and the one where they went all out with the changes. The sound is sleek, bigger and glossier, the better to spotlight their sweet voices. I am sure that some long time fans will think of this development as a kind of selling-out. You know how it goes when an indie-alternative band decides to go mainstream with popular elements in their music. They always encounter resistance from their loyal followers.

I do not think though that is the case though with these sisters. Tegan and Sara have always been all about feelings. They will never sell out. What they have in Heartthrob is but the natural progression of their feelings and their music. Besides, sell-out or not, it is very difficult to argue with success. And that is what Heartthrob is. Thanks to a cover version of the song Closer, in an episode of the TV series, Glee, Tegan and Sarah now have their biggest international hit.

And the even nicer thing about this is that there is more of the same where Closer came from. Heartthrob is full of lilting melodies to sing along with and of Tegan and Sara’s striking lyrics. These girls can really write. What do you think of something like this from I’m Not Your Hero, “I’m not their hero/ but that does not mean I wasn’t brave/ I never walked the the party line doesn’t mean that I was never afraid.” Tegan and Sarah sing and then they get you thinking. Very nice.

Also included in the album are Goodbye Goodbye, I Was A Fool, Drove Me Wild, How Come You Don’t Want Me, I Couldn’t Be Your Friend, Love They Say, Now I’m All Messed Up and Shock To Your System.

Bless modern technology for this. This is because without it we will not be able to hear the beautiful sounds contained in the album Acoustic 2. While acoustic is indeed how everything began the modern studio now makes available such a wide variety of gadgets to improve or just enhance the quality of recordings. As a result what we usually get is a multi-layered product that sounds good but is a far cry from the basics. That means a singer performing with acoustic instruments.

The contents of Acoustic 2, which are all big hit singles, were once recorded, mixed and mastered.  Then everything else that went into the final mix was removed digitally until just the voice and the acoustic instruments remain. These then were mixed and mastered again. The results are just incredible. The lack of thingamagigs and the new mix brought out the beauty of the vocals and of the songs. Only real singers and pretty melodies are allowed in this territory. Those who do not qualify can just go to the studio and make use of all those gadgets there and become also beautiful.

Among the best cuts in the two-CD set of 36 songs are Lucky by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat; Falling Slowly by Glen Hansard and Market Irglova; Cannonball by Damien Rice; Dream by Priscilla Ahn; Samson by Regina Spektor; India by Eric Benet; Cachito by Lisa Ono; Homesick by Kings of Convenience; Let’s Just Fall In Love Again by Jason Castro; My Love by Corrine Bailey Rae; and Shoot The Moon by Norah Jones.

The Astro Chart which lists the following as the big selling albums of the week in the local market from the Astrovision and Astroplus stores:  Everything To Me by Shane Filan; Muling Buksan Ang Puso, the TV soundtrack by Various Artists; Juan de la Cruz, another TV soundtrack by Various Artists; All For Love Greatest Hits Reunion featuring former members of The New Minstrels and Circus Band; Maximum Christmas Dance Party Medley by Various Artists; Chapter 10 by Charice; Richard Yap by Richard Yap; Xoxo (Kiss Korean Version) by EXO; Ultimate Christmas Dance Party by Various Artists; and Pure….Christmas by Various Artists.

Over there on MYX, the Pinoy music channel, here are the Top 20 videos of the week: Roar by Katy Perry; Wrecking Ball by Miley Cyrus; Applause by Lady Gaga; Pansamantala by Callalily; Oha by Enrique Gil; Hero by Super Junior; Growl by EXO; Best Song Ever by One Direction; Help Me Get Over by Jonalyn Viray; Rock ‘N’ Roll Avril Lavigne.

Mahal Na Mahal by Sam Concepcion; Saludo by Quest; Baby 1 by Ariana Grande; Luna by Up Dharma Down; Malayang Magmahal by Rivermaya; Drown by Rocksteddy; Back To You by Luigi D’Avola; Insekto by Pedicab; Everything To Me by Shane Filan; and Made In The USA by Demi Lovaro.