Identical indie sisters
Tegan and Sara recently recently released
The Complete Recollection (1999-2010), a vinyl box set
inclusive of seven albums, 13 videos, two documentaries and
Home Recordings "“ a bonus album featuring 9 demo tracks from
So Jealous (2004),
The Con (2007), and
Sainthood (2009).
Home Recordings effectively doubles as your "best of Tegan and Sara" playlist. The first three tracks, "Walking With A Ghost" "“ later covered by The White Stripes on their EP
Walking With A Ghost, "Fix You Up," and "Where Does the Good Go" are off of their third album,
So Jealous,
which solidified them as two chicks offering more than just shrill voices.
Songs four ("Back In Your Head") and five ("Dark Come Soon") are off
The Con, a more emotionally-fueled album and probably the most unanimously acclaimed. "Back In Your Head" features Chris Wall and Jason McGerr of
Death Cab for Cutie as well as founding member and former bassist of Weezer, Matt Sharp. Lyrics from these songs capture polar moods ("I'm not unfaithful but I'll stray," "remember when I was sweet and unexplainable, nothing like this person unloveable"and "hold out for the ones you know will love you") emanating from both sisters at the time the album was recorded.
With four tracks on Home Recordings,
Sainthood (2009) is the most heavily represented. "Red Belt," "Sentimental Tune," "The Ocean" and "Northshore" all aim to capture the theme of that album "“ obsession with romantic ideals.
All songs showcase their emotive, animated tendencies with headstrong lyrics, soft melodies, and an increasingly polished and spunky sound.