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 (Sire/Warner)
Canadian duo crank out the powerpop on album number six
Reviewing Tegan & Sara’s work is difficult, if only because I’m pretty sure that what has hampered the group’s success – their open lesbianism, the fact that they are twins, and the perversely popular idea that they might have sex with each other – are also the reasons that so many people are enamoured with them. (For the record, anyone with a passing knowledge of lesbianism not accrued from Hardcore Coed Carpet Munchers 12 will know that the incest thing is extremely unlikely. Sorry, boys.) I originally tried to draft a review without mentioning all this, but that was impossible, if only because the twins themselves play up these aspects in their work and its promotion. But if I had to say something about the music itself, I’d say: in this release Tegan & Sara crank out a pop album, one prey to the kind of brickwalled mastering that has plagued the genre since the late nineties. It’s pleasant listening, with well-structured, hook-laden tracks (highlights include Arrow, Alligator, and Paperback Head), but not transcendental. However, if I am right about this band, their fans, and their critics, the music itself is peripheral here. To give the album a shit review would imply that the Quin sisters would have gotten nowhere without their lesbianism, which is not only untrue, but also would be to indulge in the cheapest kind of homophobia. Unfortunately for both myself and the Quins, however, this is merely a better-than-average album from a duo whose personal lives cannot help but overshadow their work.
***½
CHAD PARKHILL
1. Written by Nathan, on 28-10-2009 11:03
Don\'t agree at all. The majority of fans do not care about their sexuality and were first hooked by the music. The story came later. To suggest their personal lives overshadow their work is ridiculous. Save this for when they are being chased by paparazzi and appearing on the covers of NW. Until then, it\'s music first for most fans. |
2. Written by Ninja, on 29-10-2009 15:02
I agree with Nathan, Tegan and Sara are very very talented musicians and have worked so hard over the years with their music. This article is probably the worst researched article I've read. Their personal lives overshadow their work? That is ridiculous.
Fans of Tegan and Sara are fans because of their music and talent not because of their sexuality. This article is nothing but homophobic nonsense. |
3. Written by Jasmin, on 29-10-2009 15:48
Listening to their music they don't imply anything of their sexuality in their lyrics. Also, twincest ... that's an all time low to suggest that in an ALBUM review. |
4. Written by Doober, on 29-10-2009 19:42
So Tegan & Sara are the 'indie' Veronicas? Apart from the 'open' lesbianism...  |
5. Written by lamb, on 29-10-2009 20:24
you are clearly incapable of giving a objective, content based review. why comment on completely unrelated, personal facts when reviewing a band's most recent record? do you include that heterosexual artists are straight in your reviews? I didn't think so. |
6. Written by SHAY, on 29-10-2009 22:24
And I agree with you all!! Homophobic nonsense!! Tegan and Sara are VERY talented musicians. They can sing and they can write WELL!!! Which is more than can be said for alot of 'chart toppers'...and the very reason they have so many fans. Just because somebody is interested in something you aren't doesn't mean you need to get all up in arms and start spewing this kind of garbage. Do your research!! Find a better use of your time! Or just keep spreading hate...your choice. Tegan and Sara are AMAZING! And you can't have them, so just deal with it!! |
7. Written by MoneT, on 29-10-2009 23:05
Yes, they are gay. Yes, they don't hide this when asked. Why is their sexuality an issue in relation to their music?
To state that their success is based on their "open lesbianism, the fact that they are twins..." and that other garbage you wrote clearly shows your lack of knowledge and research on the Quins. The reason they are successful is because of their interaction and commitment to their fans and of course their talent. Tegan and Sara are brilliant musicians who write and compose their own work. Unlike the one trip ponies that prance around. |
8. Written by Roky, on 29-10-2009 23:57
true its tough for the non-homosexual of us to overlook, but effectively it's people who continue to speak of it over and above the music that make it a problem.
coz really when i hear "hop a plane" (from "the con") i don't think "oh hahahah two lesbian sisters" i just hear a fucking awesome pop punky tune.
that i love listening to and playing on the guitar. |
9. Written by Nicholas, on 30-10-2009 12:18
Can\'t really speak for anyone else, but I am a straight male. I never knew that they were lesbians, mostly because I just don\'t give a fuck about musicians PERSONALLY, only the music. And Tegan and Saras music is GOOD. I\'m not a diehard fan, but it is good whether the are lesbians, or engaging in twincest or whatever.
What I\'m trying to say is, you sir, are an idiot  |
10. Written by Chad Parkhill, on 02-11-2009 02:43
I don't make a habit of responding to negative comments in the album reviews section, but given the gravity of some of these accusations (i.e. that I'm an idiot, haven't researched this, or a homophobe), I feel the need to make a few clarifying points.
First, regarding the homophobia claim: although it's not for me to judge whether or not this review is, in fact, homophobic, I can only say that I did not intend it to be homophobic. My day job is postgraduate research into gender and sexuality, and so I spend a vast amount of time reading and thinking about gay, lesbian, and antihomophobic work. I have also published articles with strong antihomophobic arguments in academic journals and queer community media such as Querelle. I have even combined my writing for Rave with my support for the queer community, for instance by interviewing Anal Traffic and Anthony Smith to promote the Holes & Poles and Bent events that took part as part of this year's Pride festival. While none of this means that this article a priori cannot be homophobic, it does at least prove that the intent to "spread hate" certainly isn't there.
Regarding the claim that I can't give an objective review: I don't deny it. (Indeed, the first third of the review aims to establish why it is impossible for anyone to give an objective review of Tegan & Sara's work.) There's a broader philosophical issue about whether any review can be objective and, if so, whether or not objectivity is desirable in reviews, but certainly the entirely un-objective reactions to my review indicate that objectivity and Tegan & Sara's work don't go together. Like it or not, for many people the most salient thing about Tegan & Sara is the fact that they are the lesbian twins from Canada. I happen to think that this is politically problematic, but that doesn't mean I should ignore it. (Also, I have commented on performers' heterosexuality where it is salient: for example, my review of Mr. Oizo's album Lambs Anger mentions the aggressive heterosexuality of the song Two Takes It.)
Regarding research: if it were not for the fact that I spent a few hours reading interviews with the Quins I wouldn't know about the fact that people think they have sex with each other. (I mean, who would think that? It's bizarre, and not a little homophobic/pornographic.) The Quins themselves have mentioned this phenomenon in interviews several times. You may be upset that I'm not a self-professed Tegan & Sara fan with access to their entire discography, but if every album review in Rave was written by obsessive fans then they'd all get five stars and our contributor base would be too large to handle.
Finally, about the idiot comment: I really don't care if people disagree with my opinion, but I don't think they're idiots for doing so. I guess it's easier for some keyboard warrior to talk smack and write off my entire intellect based on a cursory reading of a mere 250 words than it is for that person to carefully read the review, to read some of my other reviews, and to think carefully before posting their rant. |
11. Written by Al, on 04-11-2009 23:39
Chad, good on you for taking the time to defend your review. It's a giant and moronic leap to accuse you of homophobia, but your article certainly qualifies as being lazily written.
Literally two sentences review Sainthood. Every other line consists of you opining about the motivations of Tegan and Sara fans (insightful!), and claiming that the band inserts their sexuality into their work (I Kissed a Girl?).
Given your condescension and unsupported claims, why would you be surprised at the harsh reaction? |
12. Written by drab, on 04-11-2009 23:54
That still doesn't justify why you should spend 1/3 of the review talking about something totally unrelated to their actual music. If it were a straight artist, would you talk about their personal life or their heterosexuality? Or about the rumors of them dating so and so, etc? It's a review of the album, not a review of their sexual orientation. There are many credible publications who have managed to give a decent review of their work with out ever once mentioning their sexuality. Perhaps that's because it has nothing to do with the music they make. They do not use gender specific pronouns or anything that would imply a gay point of view. they're music is universal, as is their fan base. They attract both straight and gay fans, both men and women. Their music speaks to a wide audience.
And also, to call yourself a "supporter of the queer community" after writing an article that undermines their talent, mentions their album only in the last half of the paragraph, and immediately polarizes readers and instantly makes them focus on their sexuality and incestuous rumors instead of creating an unbiased review of their new album so the reader can then form their own opinions (which is what a review is supposed to do), is entirely laughable. If you can't review an album unbiasedly, then you shouldn't be reviewing at all. |
13. Written by Htr, on 05-11-2009 02:45
Yeah, nice save...
Not. |
14. Written by Jakeb, on 05-11-2009 10:48
"Not" lol
'90s FTW. |
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