Customer Reviews

If It Was You (Reis)

5 star:		(60)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This was the very first album I heard from Tegan and Sara, and I immediately fell in love with them. After hearing 'I Hear Noises' on a local music station, I was intrigued by the twins and bought the album a few weeks later. Needless to say, I was not disappointed. Soon after purchasing 'If It Was You', I rushed out a bought their first major label album; 'This Business of Art'. Then, in late 2004, their latest release, 'So Jealous', was released, and it has quickly become one of my favourite albums.

The album begins with the extremely catchy 'Time Running'. The drums in the beginning are a great opener, not only for the song, but for the CD as a whole. The vocals are drawn out and the lyrics are likeable and well-written (though definitely not the best on the album). The music is very upbeat and it makes the listener want to dance along in their seat. Though it's not my favourite, this is the song I find the hardest to get out of my head. 'You Went Away' starts out slowly with just quiet singing and an acoustic guitar before really picking up. When it does, it's another very uptempo song. The lyrics are empowering, stating "well I don't think we have to be like this forever/there's more to life than love and being together". The third track, 'Monday Monday Monday' is among the best off of 'If It Was You'. Lyrically, it's honest and sweet. The video for it is also pretty darn cool, in a weird sort of way that only artists as loveable as Tegan and Sara could get away with. The drums are pretty good on this track, but simple enough that they don't draw the listener's attention away from the vocals and the lyrics, which are the twins' strongest attribute.

'City Girl' is among my favourites from the album. It's a midtempo track (the first one on the album), and has fantastically unadorned but engaging lyrics. This track didn't jump out at me when I first bought the album, and I found myself skipping it. However, when I really started listening to it, I fell in love with just how genuine it really is. 'Not Tonight' is a tricky song. I can't figure out if it's midtempo or a ballad. The vocals and emotion really push it towards the ballad side, but the drums keep it at a quicker pace than is usually acceptable for slow love songs. I guess I'll just have to settle for placing it right in between those two classes. There's no question that 'Underwater' is lyrically one of the best songs on the album. It's also one of my personal favourites. The vocals begin by sounding angry and serious before slowly slipping into a much calmer tone, as though the girl's are explaining something to the listener. My favourite part, by far, comes with they lyrics "I'm a silly love song/a twisted elbow crush song".

'I Hear Noises' was, as I previously said, the first song I ever heard by Tegan and Sara. Obviously, it's catchy or I wouldn't have bought the album weeks later. This is definitely another lyrical masterpiece. It's honest and down-to-earth, and you really can't help but wish you personally knew the girls just to ask them what's going on in those genius heads of their's. The vocals are amazing, with a raw quality that you don't hear on over-produced, computer re-touched pop-hits. The beat is also fabulously catchy and upbeat, this is unquestionably one of the best on the album. My very favourite track on the album is 'Living Room'. It begins like a good-ol' country song with the wonderful inclusion of a banjo. This is a standout track simply because of the unique melody which suits the vocals and lyrics perfectly. The album slows down slightly with 'Terrible Storm'. The raw emotion given off in this track is enough to make it stunning. The chorus sounds angry and forceful, while the verses are all surprisingly calm, though you can really sense the rage boiling out from just under the surface.

From angry to gentle, we switch to 'And Darling (This Thing That Breaks My Heart). The sheer charm brought forth in this song (which was recorded in Tegan's apartment) is enough to make bring tears to the listener's eyes. Too bad it's the shortest track, because it really is beautiful. 'Want To Be Bad' is a good track, but my least favourite off of 'If It Was You'. The singing and the beat are both good, particularly the drawn out vocals, which add emotion and depth. The best part of the song comes near the end, with the repetition of the words "what's the matter" before looping back into the chorus. 'Don't Confess' is beautiful and heartfelt. It's a very sad song, not just because of the lyrics, but also because of the emotion emitted through the singing and the melody. The back-up vocals are actually what really draws the listener in hear. Innocent and melodic, they add poignant intensity which helps finish the album off on a smooth note.

Obviously, Tegan and Sara's 'If It Was You' is an album I'd definitely recommend. These twins are some of the most talented singer/songwriters out there, and I urge you to go and listen to at least one of their albums. I greatly respect these girls and the music they're making. This is one of the best albums from two of the most talented musicians in the industry today, don't miss out on it!

THE FINAL VERDICT: 99%

Having discovered and become addicted to Tegan and Sara's 2004 album 'So Jealous' over the last few weeks, I bought this earlier album, not daring to hope it would be quite as delightful. How wrong I was! If anything, 'If It Was You' is even more original and exciting than 'So Jealous' - although it is more of a 'grower', so takes a few extra initial plays to become addictive. It is punkier, rockier, and more exuberant. I'm in love with this music! Tegan and Sara's sound is essentially fresh and original, and their incredibly catchy tunes, clever lyrics and superb musicianship demand frequent replays. I haven't been so enthralled for a long time.

One thing that sets Tegan and Sara apart is their unusual approach to collaboration. They work separately as songwriters, coming together with each other and the band only to record, perform and tour. It's surprising and interesting to learn that although the sisters sound as though they're harmonising on most of their album tracks, this is actually an illusion, created by multi-tracking. With rare exceptions, Tegan sings all the vocal tracks on her own songs, and so does Sara. On this album, Tegan's songs are Time Running, You Went Away, City Girl, I Hear Noises, Living Room, And Darling, and Don't Confess - while Sara's are Monday Monday Monday, Not Tonight, Underwater, Terrible Storm, and Want to Be Bad. Careful listening armed with this information reveals that the twins have entirely individual approaches to songwriting, with Tegan writing the more classically addictive hooks and personal lyrics, while Sara is the more abstract and unconventional of the two. Despite, or perhaps because of this, the album works brilliantly as a whole - or at least I find every song on the album to be enjoyable and engaging. Highly recommended, both to people who already own and enjoy 'So Jealous', and to those looking for an introduction to Tegan and Sara.

tegan and sara have annoyed me. I thought I was completely over my girls w/ guitars and heart-felt lyrics stage of my life and expected not to like them at all. after having a friend play 'if i was you' and (the abyssmally titled) 'this business of art' nonstop for months, i became hooked. so unfair. regardless, these girls know how to write some killer hooks and pretty catchy rock songs with great lyrics. though some songs are better than others, the album makes me bounce shamelessly around my apartment, plus it comes w/ copies of their videos and tour footage (bonus). in general, i prefer their upbeat songs, but if you dig ballads, they have some decent ones on this album. though the only people i know who like them (besides me) are big ferrick and ani fans, I hear tegan and sara are quite popular in canada. and yeah, canada may make you think of flannel and celine dion, but its cooler than you think, with neil young, gay marriage and universal health care. and like their homeland, tegan and sara are cooler than I would have thought. go ahead, give 'em a listen (their website has clips you can listen to) and support some up and coming young musicians.

When I first heard of this band it was a couple of months ago when they were opening for Ben Folds. I never got to go to one of those concerts, so I quickly forgot about those names(Tegan and Sara, not Ben.)
Recently, though, on a program called "Subterranean" on MTV2 I saw a kitschy video by the duo, and it clicked - this was that pair that went on tour w/Ben. ! And get this: It was a great song.

I d/loaded a few tracks and I loved them... Then, finally, I cracked and bought the album. This disc is great! These girls know how to write meaningful, melodic tunes and in an age where it's apparently not a big deal to get a pop think-tank to co-write for you, they actually manage to write it all themselves! Each girl lends her own unique perspective on the record, and after a few listens you'll begin to be able to tell the difference. For instance, if I'm not mistaken, Tegan sings the wonderfully quirky "I Hear Noises"(which is, in my opinion, the album's best track), while Sara contributes the second single, "Monday, Monday, Monday"(whose melodic refrain "Oh and I, I say damn your mood swings, damn your mood swings" will haunt your head for weeks.) It adds up to an lush dichotomy of sounds and keeps things interesting.

In stark contrast to their first "official" release, the girls head in a more rock/pop oriented direction, and it makes for brilliant results. I don't foresee this album being Tegan and Sara's huge break in the US, but I hope that I'm wrong, because this is undoubtedly one of the most solid albums I've heard in a long, long time.

Best tracks: I Hear Noises, And Darling, Monday, Monday, Monday, You Went Away, and Not Tonight.

~Blake

This was the very first album I heard from Tegan and Sara, and I immediately fell in love with them. After hearing 'I Hear Noises' on a local music station, I was intrigued by the twins and bought the album a few weeks later. Needless to say, I was not disappointed. Soon after purchasing 'If It Was You', I rushed out a bought their first major label album; 'This Business of Art'. Then, in late 2004, their latest release, 'So Jealous', was released, and it has quickly become one of my favourite albums.

The album begins with the extremely catchy 'Time Running'. The drums in the beginning are a great opener, not only for the song, but for the CD as a whole. The vocals are drawn out and the lyrics are likeable and well-written (though definitely not the best on the album). The music is very upbeat and it makes the listener want to dance along in their seat. Though it's not my favourite, this is the song I find the hardest to get out of my head. 'You Went Away' starts out slowly with just quiet singing and an acoustic guitar before really picking up. When it does, it's another very uptempo song. The lyrics are empowering, stating "well I don't think we have to be like this forever/there's more to life than love and being together". The third track, 'Monday Monday Monday' is among the best off of 'If It Was You'. Lyrically, it's honest and sweet. The video for it is also pretty darn cool, in a weird sort of way that only artists as loveable as Tegan and Sara could get away with. The drums are pretty good on this track, but simple enough that they don't draw the listener's attention away from the vocals and the lyrics, which are the twins' strongest attribute.

'City Girl' is among my favourites from the album. It's a midtempo track (the first one on the album), and has fantastically unadorned but engaging lyrics. This track didn't jump out at me when I first bought the album, and I found myself skipping it. However, when I really started listening to it, I fell in love with just how genuine it really is. 'Not Tonight' is a tricky song. I can't figure out if it's midtempo or a ballad. The vocals and emotion really push it towards the ballad side, but the drums keep it at a quicker pace than is usually acceptable for slow love songs. I guess I'll just have to settle for placing it right in between those two classes. There's no question that 'Underwater' is lyrically one of the best songs on the album. It's also one of my personal favourites. The vocals begin by sounding angry and serious before slowly slipping into a much calmer tone, as though the girl's are explaining something to the listener. My favourite part, by far, comes with they lyrics "I'm a silly love song/a twisted elbow crush song".

'I Hear Noises' was, as I previously said, the first song I ever heard by Tegan and Sara. Obviously, it's catchy or I wouldn't have bought the album weeks later. This is definitely another lyrical masterpiece. It's honest and down-to-earth, and you really can't help but wish you personally knew the girls just to ask them what's going on in those genius heads of their's. The vocals are amazing, with a raw quality that you don't hear on over-produced, computer re-touched pop-hits. The beat is also fabulously catchy and upbeat, this is unquestionably one of the best on the album. My very favourite track on the album is 'Living Room'. It begins like a good-ol' country song with the wonderful inclusion of a banjo. This is a standout track simply because of the unique melody which suits the vocals and lyrics perfectly. The album slows down slightly with 'Terrible Storm'. The raw emotion given off in this track is enough to make it stunning. The chorus sounds angry and forceful, while the verses are all surprisingly calm, though you can really sense the rage boiling out from just under the surface.

From angry to gentle, we switch to 'And Darling (This Thing That Breaks My Heart). The sheer charm brought forth in this song (which was recorded in Tegan's apartment) is enough to make bring tears to the listener's eyes. Too bad it's the shortest track, because it really is beautiful. 'Want To Be Bad' is a good track, but my least favourite off of 'If It Was You'. The singing and the beat are both good, particularly the drawn out vocals, which add emotion and depth. The best part of the song comes near the end, with the repetition of the words "what's the matter" before looping back into the chorus. 'Don't Confess' is beautiful and heartfelt. It's a very sad song, not just because of the lyrics, but also because of the emotion emitted through the singing and the melody. The back-up vocals are actually what really draws the listener in hear. Innocent and melodic, they add poignant intensity which helps finish the album off on a smooth note.

Obviously, Tegan and Sara's 'If It Was You' is an album I'd definitely recommend. These twins are some of the most talented singer/songwriters out there, and I urge you to go and listen to at least one of their albums. I greatly respect these girls and the music they're making. This is one of the best albums from two of the most talented musicians in the industry today, don't miss out on it!

THE FINAL VERDICT: 99%

Today is Sunday. I heard about Tegan and Sara on Friday and I bought "If It Was You" yesterday. Now I am addicted. My favorite songs are "Monday Monday Monday", "Not Tonight" (especially), "Living Room" (even more especially), and "And Darling (this thing that breaks my heart)", which is a really sad song. I love the bango on "Living Room" which I am listening to right now. I am really excited about their new CD. Anyway, if you are not sure about this CD I think you should buy it. It is fairly cheap and you may be surprised by how good the music is when you listen to it. Plus the CD has cool extras.

I hope Tegan and Sara will tour in Portland. Goodbye and enjoy.

Heavy starts of with a light, gliding through the guitar stings with a dexterity similar to that of a Mexican Mariachi guitarist. Tegans low,raspiness adds to the sheer intensity and focus of the rich guitar solo. The slight, almost imperceptible intervention of the piano at first adds a burst of emotion and amplitude to the song meanwhile enhancing the poetic lyrics, which are rich in metaphor for a missed love. The powerful inspiration of the lyrics that calls out for the "girls to be strong" and "unstoppable" is tied with the dramatic instrumental thus conveying a moving message of feminine power. The climax of the song is reached once the instrumental of the guitar, piano, drums explodes in a reaction of pure drama, heartache, passion and longing emphasized by the hoarse, yet emotional release of vocals screaming out "you're all that I want." A heart-wrenching denoument is reached leaving the listener strangely longing for their loves. Overall, the song delivers a message of lost love through the perspective of an angsty female.

After buying their last CD, only this year, I thought it would not be possible for this superb duo to come anywhere near making a CD as good as "The Business Of Art".
Well...... they sure have. It is not just a re-hash of similar sounds, it is a progression and growing maturity. It is not fair to pick out individual tracks, as they are all excellent.
However songs that keep going round my head are "Monday, Monday, Monday" and "Living Room"
With both America and the UK fascinated with manufactured "popstars" unfortunately many people wont get to hear this CD, well all I can say is "it's their loss"
I hear that their live shows are even better than the CD's, well I can't wait for them to come over to England...

If It Was You, the second major release by sisters Tegan and Sara, has spun me round the circle of criticisms only to end squarely on praises. Upon first listen, I was shocked and a little upset. Electric guitars, pop tinged songs, only one picture of them on the CD booklet?!? AHHH!!! It was almost too much for this fan to take.

One song, however, caught my attention even then. "Monday Monday Monday" written by Sara (all songs are written by the two). It was a breezy, summery song, with a shower of guitar chords to introduce the spunky and very pretty, melodic vocals. A wash of melancholy highlighted the track for me. Well. Okay. So I liked it. But I was still very against this new sound, what had these electric guitars done to my beloved T&S? I felt the same way I'd imagine fans felt when Dave Matthews went plugged.

But how can I hold a grudge against such a brilliant album? Upon further listening, I found the distinct Tegan and Sara qualities that made me love the last album, This Business of Art, so much. Tegan's raw, growling vocals, Sara's smooth delivery, cryptic lyrics that never fail to intrigue me. I warmed up quickly to the new sound and soon adored the album, loud rock guitars and all. And who knew banjos would fit so well into a Canadian pop-folk-rock album?

If It Was You is a punchy new album that I'd highly recommend. From the first track "Time Running" (which bears a slight audio resemblance to the works of the Pretenders), to the lilting and lyrically intense "City Girl", to the upbeat and rocking "I Hear Noises", to the changing meters and moods of the dark "Terrible Storm", dueling defiance and sincerity in "Want to be Bad", this CD is an example that other artists should look to as a standard of quality. It rings loud and demands to be noticed. New fans, check out both works by these incredible women. Seasoned Tee and Essers, you will NOT be disappointed.

Okay, so I'm a huge fan of Tegan and Sara, have been for some time however, I'm also big on impartial criticism. So from a fans standpoint, I love the new album, I adore it simply because it is the new Tegan and Sara album. As a critic, well... I have a few criticisms. First off, what strikes me initially is how heavy the songs come in on the electric. Time Running starts off with the blaring guitar, which is rather catchy, but continues throughout the song and overshadows the girls voices. The heavy electric throughout the album also drowns out the wonderful acoustic sound of T&S that we've all grown to love. Now I'm all for evolving with a group as they move through new genres, but I do think that this CD lost much of the sound I love about T&S, and not through their own fault, but through the production. The vocals should have been louder, the electric softer, and the acoustic more prominent. Also, the songs aren't mixed terribly well. There is an instance in And Darling where the keyboard comes in with some very twangy fake sounding high-pitched notes, which do a complete injustice to the vocals. Those keyboard notes make me cringe and I much prefer the live version in which one can focus on the vocals. To continue with And Darling, anyone can notice immediately how abruptly the song cuts off, leaving one to wonder if it was a defect in the CD or if it was supposed to end like that. Okay, enough negative criticism. Tegan and Sara managed again to come up with a group of songs whose lyrics address the common aspects of life in love without being trite or falling back on the teen angst theme that so many pop musicians today employ. All of this given, there are still several songs on the album that are Tegan and Sara to the core. These songs adequately display their wonderful vocal styling, (Terrible Storm, Living Room, Don't Confess) the low and sometimes husky tone that made me first love their music, the playful lyrics that make me grin (Underwater), and the unique guitar (Living Room) that I can only attribute to them. I am glad that these songs made it through the producers unharmed. On the whole, I found the album to be a bit of a let down, however I am ascribing this almost entirely to studio production teams efforts and not Tegan and Sara's since I have heard all of the songs live and find them to be much more what I expected and a much better tribute to the talented twins.