Date: January 26, 2005 Author: Andrea Bonaventura Publication: The South End Headline: Canadian guitarists invade U.S.

Label: Vapor/Sanctuary Canada has always produced some fine things. Hockey, Degrassi Jr. High, Avril Lavigne, Sloan, and now Tegan and Sara. In 2002, Canadian-born twins, Tegan and Sara, released a quirky, acoustic-driven, folksy album titled “If It Was You.” It was nothing short of an amazing album that really gained interest in the American audience. I honestly thought this album was the peak of their career and nothing else they ever did would be as stunning as “If It Was You.” I was so wrong. Tegan and Sara’s latest album, “So Jealous,” is a masterpiece. Most of the songs stray from the whole acoustic, folksy vibe as Tegan and Sara settle for electric guitars on this record. Overall, the electric guitars are a good choice because in this day and age, everyone and their mother is picking up an acoustic guitar and releasing an album. Tegan and Sara have strong lyrical ability, angelic voices, and killer harmonies. If they were playing pots and pans, I’d probably still suggest you buy their albums. Did I mention that they write all their own lyrics and play their own instruments, along with their band? Well, they do, which is more than I can say for most musical acts out there. One of the main reasons “So Jealous” is a remarkable album is because every song could be a single. It is not that just two or three songs stand out while the rest are crap. Every song is catchy, with good melodies, and fantastic ‘not-to-emo’ lyrics. Some of especially good tracks are: “You Wouldn’t Like Me,” “So Jealous,” and “Take Me Anywhere.” This album is a great way to beat the winter blues, as it is much more upbeat than most of the music polluting the airwaves right now. Plus, it is only a matter of time before Tegan and Sara become mega-superstars in the United States. So get their CDs now so you can brag later about how you have been listening to them forever.