It might only be mid-November, but all of Tegan and Sara's fans'
Christmases have basically just come at once with the release today
of the singer-songwriter duo's latest offering, a CD/DVD package
called Get Along.
This is actually a pretty exciting prospect for admirers of the
duo, as Get Along - their first release since Sainthood in 2009 -
contains a live CD album with 15 tracks, including Nineteen, Knife
Going In and Back In Your Head, and three documentary films.
The album part of the package is a terrific spin on a Best Of;
who doesn't like hearing new versions of their favourite songs?
There are some lovely spare, stripped-back versions here. Speedy
The Ocean is very cool, Relief Next To Me is really interesting
with some synthesizer backing, Alligator, Call It Off and Back In
Your Head all really shine, and the album as a whole beautifully
showcases both their songwriting skills and the way their voices
complement one another.
On to the films, then. The first is called States, and it's a
30-minute look back at their early career. It's beautifully shot
and edited, of course, with some moody slow-mo footage and plenty
of personal anecdotes and musings by the Canadian pair. There's
some great footage of them performing live and answering
bizarre/random questions by fans at gigs; proof, if any were
needed, of just how engaging (and, I hate to say 'present' but I'm
going to) they are live. If you've ever seen them in person, you'll
know that they don't disappoint. They come across as really
genuine; they love being on stage and entertaining people and you
can tell. If you ever get the chance.... but I've digressed....
The second film, India, is a 25-minute docu about their first
tour of India, and the third (and longest at 70 minutes) is called
For The Most Part and is a recording of an intimate studio concert
T&S performed for 75 fans, friends and family over two days in
Vancouver. Watching this is the next best thing to having had an
invite.
So, if you're a Tegan and Sara fan (as I am), you can't help but
like this, really; the mix of concert and backstage footage with
interviews is perfect, and the twins are articulate and interesting
as well as funny, cute and incredibly likeable and down-to-earth.
You needn't take my word for it, though; there is a trailer on
YouTube which I've embedded below, so if you're not entirely
convinced you can take a look. Merry Christmas.
Tegan
& Sara on iTunes
