Tegan & Sara
'Hell'
Needing little introduction by now, Canada's favourite musical twins
Tegan and Sara Quin are set to release their sixth album, Sainthood,
on October 26th through Sire Records, much changed from when they
first emerged as 'Sara & Tegan' with the rough and ready alt-folk of
Under Feet Like Ours in 1999. The twins' popularity has accelerated
slowly but sensibly over the last ten years, due in part to their
unique vocal sound that beautifully mirrors the close bond they share,
but also their ability to evolve their overall sound, leading to six
very different albums. Lead single 'Hell' is the first track to emerge
from their latest effort, which unprecedentedly includes a few songs
the twins' wrote together. Tearing straight into a very fast and heavy
guitar introduction, it instantly reveals itself to be a catchy,
vibrant pop song that slides up and down the scale as expertly as the
Quins' vocals. The familiar method of solo vocal followed by
intermittent twin harmonising still gives Tegan & Sara a diverse vocal
edge, and the clever wording and fast delivery adds to the track's
breathlessness. The overall sound is defiant and confident and seems
to echo the band's firmly staked claim in music history.