So Jealous
Three albums into Tegan & Sara's career, it's still somehow necessary to get a couple of facts about them out of the way before diving into their latest offering. They are, yes, identical twin lesbians, and they do occupy the space--more like a vacuum, really--between the riot-grrl menace ofSleater-Kinneyand the un-fun folk ofIndigo Girls. That out of the way,So Jealousis the duo's best disc yet, meriting more than the mainstream notice that has so far evaded it. All the components are in place: a beyond synthy, full-throttle band, including John Collins and David Carswell ofNew Pornographers, and songwriting so honest as to make a person--any person--check to make sure no one has been snooping in her diary ("I won't mistake you for problems with me/I won't let my moods ruin this you'll see," from "I Won't Be Left"). The vibe is early-80s pop-punky (Tegan & Sara's singing can sound likeMissing Persons' minus the squeals) spiked with a rock'n'roll edge--if the title track were noisier, it might sound at home on aYeah Yeah Yeahsdisc. Destined for hugeness, if only in indie circles for now, Tegan & Sara provide something crucial for pop princesses to beSo Jealousof, and that's genuine talent. --Tammy La Gorce