Customer Reviews

This Business of Art

5 star:		(55)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I cannot begin to praise Tegan and Sara enough. They opened for Melissa Ferrick back when I went to see her, and I purchased their first CD, "Under Feet Like Ours" on the spot.

"This Business of Art" is one of my top ten CDs. This elite list comprises ten CDs I can listen to all the way through, unmotivated, to skip tracks, get up, move around, etc, over and over again. In fact, I've listened to this CD more than a hundred times in the estimated three months I've had it in my possession.

Singer Songwriter styled lyrics, mixed with hard beats and intricate melodies, put Tegan and Sara high up on the totem pole, both stylistically and for creativity.

My favorites on this album are "The First" and "My Number," but there isn't a bad or weak track on the album. With the Exception of "Superstars," the tracks carried over from "Under Feet Like Ours" are improved as well, cooler versions of already good originals.

I personally cannot wait for them to tour my area again, and for them to release a new CD, but in the meanwhile, I will be listening to "This business of Art" many, many more times.

Well, first I need to correct one of the review: the twin sisters were born in 1980, so they are 20 years old, not 16. Second, well, let me tell you that the talent they have is incredible. I saw them live in a small bar, with only two acoustic guitars, and fell in love right away with their music. You can hear the samples up there, or you can go to their website http://www.teganandsara.com to download the full mp3 of their song "The First". I bought the CD right at this concert and listen to it almost everyday. I am telling you, this is not going to be their last album - with no accident, I predict a very nice future to their music. Tubes from Tegan and Sara will be everywhere soon!

Somehow, the music of Tegan and Sara makes me faintly wish I were still in high school so that I could listen to it and feel so much better. The vocals on this album are unforgettable...there are artists whose voices just flow with the music, and then there are those whose voices lead their music. This is true of Tegan and Sara, but the music is pleasantly as gritty as the vocals. The album would be worth buying simply for "My Number"...but the entire thing is incredible. I can't remember the last time I got so suddenly and overwhelmingly hooked on an album. There are sounds that seem to draw on everything from something you'd hear at a club to Ani DiFranco to Stevie Nicks. "Proud" will make you want to shout, "Superstar" is irresistably catchy, and "The First" simply demands to be played. The only problem you'll encounter if you buy this album is the impossibility of deciding which track you want to listen to first.

If you buy Tegan and Sara's new CD you'll lose ten pounds and hit the lottery. You'll also become the most popular person at school (or work) and the person who turned you down for a date then called you a loser in front of their laughing friends when you were in 8th grade will approach on bent knee at your 10 year reunion and profess their undying love for you in front of the entire congregation. You'll of course look at them and laugh, take your supermodel spouse by the hand, and have a seat to watch the documentary detailing your exploits in helping to save thousands of starving children in third world countries while making ground-breaking advances in the middle east peace process and discovering a cure for cancer. This is, of course, a special viewing occurring a week before the television milestone in which it will be premiered in prime time on every major television network in every known language across the globe.

Well, it may not happen exactly like that, but it'll be close. This Business of Art is one of the best albums I have heard in years. To make comparisons to other artists is an injustice, so I won't do it. Likewise the duo's musical styling can't accurately be described by one musical categorization. Often inaccurately labeled as folk, the duo has the lyrical intelligence and beauty of that genre accompanied by a punk attitude and bluesy-pop vocal fusion. Add to that, colorful observation and humble openness and you get a refreshing song collection improved upon only by the volley of quick wit, attention demanding intensity, and interaction of their live show. If you buy one album this century make it This Business of Art

With a debut album this wonderful, I'll be expecting to hear a lot more great things from these two young artists. I first saw Tegan and Sara perform at a Neil Young concert and was blown away. They filled up the arena with only their guitars and their lovely voices and had me hooked from the very start with their catchy and clever lyrics. I can't say that they really reminded me of any other artists, but I did buy their CD the night of the concert and have been enjoying it more with each listen. They do sound much better live than they do on the disc though, so if you ever have the chance to catch them live, don't pass it up.

I first came across Tegan and Sara when their video for 'I Hear Noises' was played on my local music station. I was immediately enthralled with the talented duo. Everything about these girls is unique and fresh. Their voices, their lyrics, and their beats are absolutely stunning. 'If It Was You' was the first CD I bought by the twins, 'This Business of Art' was purchased shortly after. I am having trouble deciding which one of the two amazing albums I prefer, as each has their own strong points. The melodies on 'This Business of Art' seem to be darker, and they seem to almost haunt the listener, sending chills up my spine every time I press the "play" button. The lyrics are also fantastic. I actually believe it may be impossible to improve on such creativity and genius. 'If It Was You' certainly doesn't lack in imaginative and original lyrics, but unlike its predecessor, the mood it envelops is quite a bit more up-beat. This is certainly not a bad thing, it just makes for a different listen. One major change I've noticed is that the vocals on 'If It Was You' seem to have improved. They're much more gravelly and nasal-y. Very distinctive and enjoyable. Nonetheless, I still think it would be rather impossible to choose one as my favourite above the other.

'This Business of Art' starts out extremely strong with the fresh 'First'. This is one of the more up-beat tracks on the album. The girls' voices sound perfect together, and having both of them singing at the same time creates depth and sounds fantastic. The second song on the album is the funky 'Proud'. This is another of the quicker (in relation to the rest of the album) tracks on 'This Business of Art'. In the chorus, the girls sing about exactly what the title suggests, what they're proud of. Never forgetting to remind us that they're "proud to be me". 'Frozen' begins amazingly, with both girls singing almost in almost a trance-like state before the music really starts up. Lyrically, this is one of the best on the album, and the vocals are equally as stunning. The girl's voices intermingle seamlessly with one another and with the music. It's a short track, but its perfection makes up for that small setback.

The fourth track is 'Hype'. This is a fantastic song. Definitely one of my personal favourites. It begins simply, then after about 50 seconds, the drums really start to speed up for the chorus, before fading away again until the chorus repeats again. That's not usually something I would comment on as this rising action is present in 90% of music, but it's quite noticeable here, and adds a lot of character to the song. There's no question that 'My Number' is my favourite track on the entire album. In fact, it's currently my very favourite song ever (which will probably change, as often happens to me). The drums in the beginning stand out and then the very first line is (suitably), "wish I was pounding out a new beat". This is about as close to a ballad as Tegan and Sara get, and it's fantastic. My favourite lyrics would be from the chorus;

"If I gave you my number
Would it still be the same
If I saved you from drowning
Promise me you'll never go away
Promise me you'll always stay".

They're not necessarily amazing, but they're sung with such emotion that you can't help but feel your heart strings tugging just a tiny bit in your chest. 'All You Got' starts out strong with great vocals, and probably one of my favourite lines from Tegan and Sara while referring to another girl; "the kind of girl who whispers 'thank God for you'". This is a simple, but very endearing, sweet track. The seventh track, 'Freedom' begins with a country-western sort of sound (slightly like 'Living Room' off of 'If It Was You'). However, that quickly fades as the lyrics begin. The vocals on this song are some of the best on the album, the girls come across sounding innocent and wide-eyed, almost naive in a sense, if it's possible that that can be portrayed in a simple song.

'Not With You' starts out with just vocals and an acoustic guitar before the drums start and the music really starts up. Like the introduction, the song keeps to the same simple format, which actually makes it stronger. This is probably the only track from the girls (that I can think of off the top of my head) in which they really seem to let their guard down, namely with the lyrics "I'm nothing/If I'm not with you". It doesn't happen very often, if at all, that Tegan and Sara would sing something which portrays them relying on someone else. 'More For Me' is one of my very favourite songs on the album. It's about having to really grow up and have to leave behind childhood. Simply said, it's simple (relying almost entirely on vocals) and heart wrenching.

Nearing the end of the album, 'Come On' is extremely strong. The drums really carry this track. The beat is simple and never strays too far from one original melody, which helps the lyrics to stand out. A good choice for the second last track, as it has the ability to calm the listener before the stunning 'Superstar' begins. I honestly can't think of another song by Tegan and Sara quite as original and unique as 'Superstar'. It's an observation of fame and sounds almost surreal (much like fame, I presume). If sung by anyone else, this track could come off sounding possibly pretentious or goofy, but the girls pull it off beautifully, and it finishes the album with a bang.

This is an album I'd recommend to everyone. These girls are two of the most talented musicians in the industry, and definitely two of my very favourite artists. All of their albums are masterpieces in their own right, so I'd obviously recommend checking out all of them. However, if you don't know where to start, I'd say, listen to 'This Business of Art' if you're into darker, more melodramatic music rather than more upbeat, poppier sounds.

THE FINAL VERDICT: 99%

I bought this cd after the reviews i read here... and after hearing a couple samples i was hooked... the cd has been in my player for the last 7 hours non stop... it is wonderful... if you don't know whether you want the cd or not.. listen to the samples and if you arne't hooked by the third one you hear then you are an alien and i can't understand whats wrong with you... in short i love this album... if you can find it i strongly encourage you to buy it

I dont normally listen to this kind of music and I tend to like music more to the tune of Korn and Rage against the Machine but these two girls have the most beautiful voices I have ever heard and somehow their songs are able to convey wit,emotion, and excitement so easily that it amazes me (ie My Number, Superstar). I only caught a few seconds of "the First" on Much Music and that was enough to get me to buy the cD. I was hoping to see T & S when they came to Ottawa but I got kicked out of the show because I had no I.D.(I lost my wallet for real!) so I havent had the pleasure of hearing them play live. Buy this Cd then get their other songs off Napster(cleaver meals, welcome home, our trees) as their first cd Under Feet like Ours is almost impossible to find.

For those of you living in the States you may not know but this is not there debut album. "Under feet like ours" was their first cd released independently. "This business of art" is a more polished cd containing 7 of the same songs from the first cd but redone and remixed and 4 new songs. I love both CDs but nothing beats seeing these grrrls live. I didn't see them tour with Neil Young but i have seen them in much smaller intimate settings and not only do they have amazing voices but they are funny and beautiful too! Some of my favourite songs are "my number, hardcore superstar" - i like them all. They have been compared to ani (who i also love) but they have a very different sound. Just because they are smart, intelligent womyn with acoustic guitars does not make them ani clones but it their sound, style and message certainly puts them in the same amazing category.

As I was reading the other reviews it dawned on me that everyone who reviewed this cd is from Canada or somewhat close to the Canadian border! Well, I am proud to report that word of these fantastic musicians have made it down SOUTH! A friend of mine had me listen to the cd about a month ago, after reading about them in a chat room on-line...I went right out and bought a copy for myself and that has been the only cd I have been listening to ever since. I am recommending this cd to anyone who knows what good music is (having a degree in music myself, I am pretty picky!) Some of the most original music I have heard! I am waiting for these girls to make their way down south so I, too, can see them live. I caught them on David Letterman last week! THEY ARE SO FANTASTIC....not to mention.. pretty cute! (if only I was in my twenties again!)