Customer Reviews

So Jealous

5 star:		(70)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I bought this album because I kept seeing it pop up on different Top 10 or Top 20 lists for albums of the year. I went into Tower looking for something new to buy with some Christmas money, and thought I'd see what all the hype was about.
I had previously seen them open for Ryan Adams a few years ago, and wasn't overly impressed. It was just them and acoustic guitars, and they were ok - but nothing I wanted to rush out and buy.
Well, upon hearing the first two tracks at the listening station, I knew I wasn't putting this one down. What a pleasant surprise! This is one of the most fun albums I've bought all year. The songs are very, very addicting and get stuck in your head immediately after the first listen.
It reminds me, in a way, of Ryan Adams' Rock N Roll album because of the 80's pop-rock feel to it. The twins ability to harmonize and write excellent heart-felt songs make this something that I'm now looking to loan to friends to spread the word. That's about as big a compliment that you can pay an album - wanting to share it with others.

This is hands down the best punky pop cd since the gogo's beauty and the beat. I can't get the melodies out of my head. Every song grows on me more each time. "I Know I Know I Know" is total ear candy with just enough kick to be fun. "Fine By You" is delicous grrr rock, and the finale "I Can't Take It" reminds me of such classic enders as "Only in My Dreams" on the Weezer blue album. Do purchase. The best album this year by FAR!

This record is pure bliss. I listened to it from start to finish, not skipping around to songs i was curious to hear, I just went through each song one at a time. And there was none that I felt the need to skip. Some of the Sara tunes are a bit obscure, but in a good way.

What I like best about all the songs is that Tegan and Sara have managed to perfectly blend in all these elements and not have it sound like too much. Most of the songs start off simple and little by little a different instrument is heard till it explodes into the chorus. In "You Wouldn't Like Me", the electric guitar kicks in on the 2nd verse, after the acoustic guitar, but not right away. It waits a measure (I think that's the right term) and then joins in with the acoustic.

Early in their career Tegan and Sara were more acoustically based. But even more then their last one, "So Jealous" proves that they can rock out as well. Many of the songs have synthesizers or other keyboard type instruments. This is a very welcome addition to Tegan and Sara's new sound. It gives the songs a retro vibe in a moderate and pleasing way, so it's not overwhelming.

I think my overall favorite song right now is "Speak Slow". I fell in love with the acoustic VH1 version thinking, it's going to be different, I may not like the studio one. I was wrong, the studio version rocks. It's one of those songs you'd put on to wake yourself up, or play blasting and singing along in the car with the windows open (while paying close attention to the road of course). One thing I noticed about "Speak Slow" that I love is how the drums go along with Tegan's vocals on the part where she sings "i am so alone, so alone". It's just a great song all around.

Vocally, Tegan and Sara are sounding pretty great as well. The leads are easy to understand and perfectly blend with the vibe of the song. And the harmonies adds a nice backdrop making the songs that much more addicting. Also I find it's easier to tell who is singing. I don't know if that's because I am getting to "know" them better, or if they have developed different singing styles over the years. Maybe a combo of both?

Overall I think this album is amazing, it shows that Tegan and Sara have more than one style, which in my book is what keeps artists interesting and keeps them going. I highly recommend it for any true music fan to get.

I should admit that my motivation for writing this review - I never write Amazon reviews - is just to help kick this album up to its rightful 5-star rating. (Is Hughes Orsetti a creep or what?)

I was turned on to this record by a recommendation from USA Today's website (of all places!) and they instantly became my New Favorite Band. What excellent songs, my goodness. This is easily one of the best records of 2004.

The thing that freaks me out about Tegan and Sara is that they write songs separately, each having very much their own style, yet their respective songs complement the other's so well. Two great songwriters for the price of one. Either could make outstanding records on her own if she wanted to, but I'm glad they stick together. They're stronger that way. Tegan strikes me as a little more classic pop: I definitely hear an early Pretenders influence in her melodies, and that's not a bad thing. "I Know I Know I Know" and "Wake Up Exhausted" both have a lovely, lilting swoon to them that reminds me of Chrissie Hynde's best songs. Great stuff. Sara's songs are, as others here have noted, a little more experimental on this record, often with thrilling results. "So Jealous," with its unpredictable structure and ever-changing dynamics, makes a perfect title song for the record. When the song gets to the chorus and Sara wails "I GET SO JEALLLLOUSS!" - it's a goosebump moment. Brilliant.

I've given up on trying to predict when a group will hit it big. There doesn't seem to be any connection these days between merit and success. We have to hear about all these crappy teen pop-stars while awesomely talented artists are shoved off to the indie music fringe. I just don't get it. Do Tegan and Sara deserve to be hugely successful? You bet they do. Will they be? I honestly don't know. I hope so. Their songwriting is right at the front rank of the best stuff that's out there right now. And they're very charismatic, very charming, very everything. What's not to like? Who doesn't like excellent, emotional power-pop? If Tegan and Sara, with all their obvious greatness, don't attain a high level of popularity sometime soon, I will lose all faith in humanity.

If you like Tegan and Sara, the best thing you can do to help them is simply: spread the word. Every single one of my friends that I've recommended them to is now a fan. Good taste will prevail! There is still hope! Thank you and goodnight!

Many groups in Canada simply do not get the recognition they should. For every talented bands that make it south of the border like Rush or Guess Who, there's untalented ones like Avril Lavigne or Sum 41. Tegan and Sara are a pretty well-known group in Canada and have very little recognition in the States, which is too bad. They've released 3 records so far that have been excellent and they're still not well-known. Oh well, guess we can rub it in some american's face that they have to settle with Good Charlotte while we have Tegan and Sara and many others.

You Wouldn't Like Me(Tegan): Like Lennon and McCartney, each girl sings the song they've written instead of having a chief songwriter. This is a Tegan song and probably her best on here. A driving rhythm and an incredibly catchy melody make it a great opener. 10/10

Take Me Anywhere(Tegan): A nice upbeat song, catchy chorus, and some nice background vocals. There's a 2nd guitar near the end but I can barely hear it but that's ok. 9/10

I Bet It Stung(Sara): Definately Sara's best on here. An incredibly driving rhythm makes it an almost epic-like quality for a 3 minute song. One complaint is her lead vocal sounds strange like when you talk into a fan but that's a minor complaint for what would be a great single if they made it one. 10/10

I Know I Know I Know(Tegan): It's a lot of people's favorite but maybe after the last song, it doesn't hit much but it's still good. I like the 2nd guitar during the pre-chorus and the end though, very effective. 8/10

Where Does the Good Go(Tegan): The bassline sounds funny but it's another good song where both girls sing parts together rather than separately or one's mixed a bit low in the background. Love the chorus. 8/10

Downtown(Sara): Finally we get to a Sara song and again it's a good one. Very sad-sounding chord progression with a quite catchy chorus. And is it me, or does the song seem to be about oral sex? Just wondering. 9/10

I Won't Be Left(Tegan): Back to Tegan and opens with an almost punk-like guitar opening before the acoustic comes in. The background vocals are quite effective too. 8/10

Walking With a Ghost(Sara): The first single and the guitar melody is so catchy you probably can't help but pick up one and play along if you have one. It even has synth from Matt Sharp(ex-Weezer bassist). It's a bit repetitive but it sounds better like that to me. 8/10

So Jealous(Sara): Starts off with some interesting synth before the acoustic comes in and then explodes into the chorus when everyone comes in. 9/10

Speak Slow(Tegan): The second single and a very upbeat rock song. Great rhythm and a catchy chorus with it's "ah-ahh!" part at the end. Probably my favorite bridge on the record. 9/10

Wake Up Exhausted(Tegan): If it seems the songs are more lopsided to Tegan, they are, she has 8, Sara has 6. Oh well. Another standout with a weird fuzzy guitar after the verses. The "are you alright?" line for some reason I just like listening to. 9/10

We Didn't Do It(Sara): The opening guitar line almost reminds me of Walking With a Ghost but must be me. While the verses seem kind of poppy, the chorus is probably my favorite. The synthline combined with the rest of the instruments makes for a great chorus. If only the verses didn't seem lopsided. 8/10

Fix You Up(Tegan): The last Tegan song and it's pretty good with my favorite part being the chorus where both girls sing then later when it's repeated but it's full band. Probably my second favorite Tegan song on here after You Wouldn't Like Me. 9/10

I Can't Take It(Sara): The last Sara and album closer and to be honest, it's probably my least favorite although it's nicely sung. They should've switched this with Fix You Up and it would've been a better closer.

Tegan and Sara are in that group "talented unknowns": they have the capability to be bigger than they are but for some reason people focus elsewhere(and I'm sure you know plenty of examples of this). But with each new release, they consistently get better, even if not a lot of people are listening.

While I am a fairly new fan of T&S, having discovered this CD in 2007, it has already become one of my favorite albums. The 14 tracks here are simply perfect heartbreak pop. All the songs WILL be stuck in your head at sometime or another. Good hooks, bright guitar and the ever emotive voices of Tegan and Sara Quin make for one essential album. On tracks like the brilliant "I Won't Be Left" the sisters voices are layered perfectly in the choruses and the result is pure magic. The Quin sisters are so good at what they do that even songs that are slower and built around minor chord progressions will have you nodding your head, or tapping your foot. The disk is produced by Howard Redekopp and David Carswell(the New Pornographers) so you know there is plenty of gloss and polish on this refined piece of ear candy.

Simply put, this is one of those records that comes around once or twice a year, if you're lucky, and stays in your CD player seemingly forever. This is the best pop music, pop with staying power, that you will keep coming back to over and over again. A must buy.

WOW! This album is simply amazing. Whoever does not like the musical talents of Tegan & Sara obviously don't appreciate good music. My favourites are definately "I Know I Know I Know", "Where Does The Good Go", and "Walking With The Ghost". I'll add "You Wouldn't Like Me" in there too. It is a perfect mix of fast and slow tunes, and all their lyrics are meaningful and touching. Nothing wrong with this album! My absolute favourite!

Being a huge Tegan and Sara fan, I had high expectations for this album. Thankfully, I was not let down. Not at all. In fact, this is my favourite album from Tegan and Sara to date, and among my top five favourite albums of all time. In all honesty, I haven't stopped listening to this CD since I bought it the day it was released. With a running time of just over 45 minutes, 'So Jealous' is Tegan and Sara's longest album to date. This is awesome as the short length of their previous two major-label records was their largest set-back.

'You Wouldn't Like Me' starts the album off on a high note. It's simple, which allows the girls' genuine lyrics shine through. About halfway through the track, the music really starts to speed up, which sets the tone for the rest of the album. It's a genius opener. 'Take Me Anywhere' starts up perfectly, as though the previous track never ended. Despite the smooth transition and both songs being simple and relying a lot on vocals, the two tracks are still very distinct. The third track, 'I Bet It Stung' is among the best on the album. Beginning with the lyrics "I know you plan out/everything that you want to say/I wish that we didn't/have to go about things this way" before slipping smoothly into the girls' self-proclaimed love for rock and roll. The vocals and music sit together perfectly on this song and the end result is beautiful. 'I Know I Know I Know' is a sweet (but not sugary, gag-inducing sweet) song. Probably among the more pop-inspired, upbeat tracks, it's very catchy and the listener can't help but fall in love with it. I find myself really liking the drums on it.

The fifth track is 'Where Does The Good Go'. I absolutely love this song. It's about a break-up, and obviously poses the question asked in the title as well as wondering things such as where you go "with your broken heart in tow". The vocals are definitely the best part of this song. I'm not sure if it's Tegan or Sara taking the lead, but whoever it is, she sounds almost as if she's on the verge of tears, which sounds incredible. You can almost see the emotion radiating from this song, as if it's you the girls are singing to. 'Downtown' is a sweet song and includes some of my favourite lines from the entire album; "If I'm gonna get up/I'll just admit it/I'll only get up for you". The chorus is very smooth and tranquil, almost innocent in a sense. It leaves the listener imagining the girls in a dream-like state. 'I Won't Be Left' is my personal favourite song from the album. It deals with refusing to be the one left behind reliving old memories and regretting things gone wrong. It opens very simply, with just vocals and a guitar before really starting up. When the drums come in, that's when the chorus and the song really begin. Very simple and catchy, this is an amazing song.

'Walking With A Ghost' was the first single to drop from 'So Jealous', and with good reason. It's an awesome track which seems to be directed to an ex-lover, referring to them as a "ghost" who is out of the girls' mind for good. It's very short, but the fact that it's so good makes up for it. There's no question that 'So Jealous' is one of the most original tracks the girls have done to date (right up there with 'Superstar' and 'Living Room'). An amazing array of instruments, and such honesty in the lyrics make this track flawless. You never really know what's coming next, which (in my humble opinion) is the mark of a great song and extremely talented musicians. 'Speak Slow' is a very upbeat, infectious track. Extremely catchy and danceable, it's among the most enjoyable songs off of 'So Jealous'. In fact, I'd venture in saying it's probably the most fun track from this album, and possibly from the girls' two previous major-label albums as well. The music video for it is also something you won't want to miss, as you can't help but fall in love with the girls and their silly antics while watching it.

'Wake Up Exhausted' slows down a bit at the beginning, quite unlike it's predecessor. This is an extremely calming song which leaves me swaying in my seat every time I hear it. 'We Didn't Do It' makes certain to tell listeners that the twins didn't "do it" for such reasons as money or happiness, and that they actually don't know why they did "it" (presumably, get into music, or that's how I interpret it). My favourite line would definitely be, "We didn't do it/To be happy/So I can whine". Although this track has a slightly dark feeling to it, it's still rather upbeat, at least compared to some of their older songs. I find 'Fix You Up' to be a very heartbreaking song. Tegan and Sara invite someone who is assumingly depressed to come on in so that they can fix them up. However, they also speak about how they're unhappy as well, which makes it even sadder than it would have previously been. The album closes with a bang with 'I Can't Take It'. The transition between the last two tracks is amazing and flawless as they are both very simple and relaxed. With repetitive lyrics (that actually don't get old, amazingly enough), you can't help but mouth along. I put on these last two tracks to calm me down, and they work every single time.

This is definitely not an album you'll want to miss. There's no doubt that this is one of the best albums of 2004. If you've liked the girl's previous work, why haven't you already bought this album? Go get it! If you're unsure if you should get it, I'd recommend it wholeheartedly to anyone and everyone, this is an album no good CD collection should be without.

THE FINAL VERDICT: 100%

The first track I heard off this album was "Speak Slow". I knew I had to have this record right then. I had their "This Business of Art" album and loved it. So Jealous sounds very different from "TBOA" but is equally amazing. This is a very strong record, forcing you to listen to it all the way through without skipping a track. The Canadian twins write awesome lyrics and can actually SING! I can't go a week without hearing this record, and find myself humming the songs very often. Tegan and Sara are great musicians and when I listen to this I can only wonder how come more people haven't heard of them? So if you haven't listened to Tegan and Sara before, go, right now, and listen to this record!

These gals are incredible musicians, especially considering that they are so young and are twins too! This is a very good CD. Existing fans will love it. Those new to T and S will like it too. However, I'd suggest starting with "This Business of Art" to introduce you to who and what and how great they are. It was their first album and I think it is still their best. But this one and "It Was You" are just so great too. You really can't go wrong with any of their albums. Such a distinct sound that incorporates angst, love, feelings confused, feelings realized, seemingly random thoughts that, in the end, make perfect sense and metamophasizes music into life.