"Sainthood" - Tegan and Sara

[Bobby Bear]

Although the album isn't released until the 27th, its debut single "Hell" is available via the band's official site. It's a taut, spiky blast of pop-rock that will likely appease fans of the more straightforward stuff from The Con such as "Nineteen", "Hop a Plane", and the title track. While I'm delighted they're continuing their quest to craft the perfect aural sugar rush (So Jealous's "Speak Slow" is still the one to beat) they could probably bang out an album filled with just these kinds of songs every 6 months. As much as I enjoy these tracks, I'm hoping the album expands on the more adventurous songwriting that made The Con so fresh. I've not looked forward to a new record this much in ages.

[RathBandu]

"The Ocean" is a pretty great little song.

[Bobby Bear]

I'm deliberately holding off until the 27th. Though, some of those song titles are making it hard to.

[Alex Augustine]

Just got tickets for their upcoming tour.

[Bobby Bear]

Nice, Alex! A friend of mine had a ticket going for their Manchester gig a while back, but I couldn't make it (and, unfortunately I wasn't at home for their Belfast date.) Rubbish.

[neaux]

Listening to this now. First single "Arrow" is atrocious.

Everything else so far is pretty darn good. Stand out tracks are "Northshore" and "Alligator"

[Bobby Bear]

Originally Posted by neaux

Listening to this now. First single "Arrow" is atrocious.

Controversial. It's excellent, sparse yet tight, and massive-sounding. "Northshore" - like "Sentimental Tune", "On Directing", and "The Cure" - is catchy and fun, but "Night Watch" and "Alligator" are more what I was hoping for. The surprise is that they're even better than I'd hoped.

I take it you used single interchangeably with song or track, because "Hell" is the first single.

I've literally just finished my first listen and already I love this album. Not one duff track. Not even close.

[Count Chocula]

Man, Alligator and Hell are both fantastic tracks. Can't wait to hear the whole album. I wasn't too hot on The Con, but So Jealous is one of my favorite records EVER.

[Bobby Bear]

I listened to "Hell" easily 30 times before getting the album and, as much as its a tidy track, it's probably outside album's overall top 3, Count. Any reason in particular why you didn't like The Con so much, or did you just prefer the earthier, earlier stuff?

I'm on my third listen tonight, by the way. Forgot how great it was when an album you've been looking forward to delivers.

[RathBandu]

I cannot stop listening to "The Ocean" or "Arrow." So good.

[Kevin Matchstick]

I'm like Count up there. I dug The Con, but So Jealous was SO good, it was a tiny bit of a letdown. Still, I can't wait to hear this entire. Because I'm old, I tried to buy it at Target tonight. Sadly, the superstore didn't carry it. But baby formula was on sale, so I forgave.

[Alex Augustine]

I'm not digging it so much. I love the con and so jealous but something seems off here.

[Ray Abed]

'Northshore' is one of my fave songs of the year.

Soooo infectious.

[Ray Abed]

And 'Paperback Head', which could be the standout.

[Bobby Bear]

Gotta say, "Northshore" is catchy alright, but, if I'm not listening to the whole album, it's one that I often skip. Rath's closer to myself - "Arrow", "The Ocean", and "On Directing" are favourites.

Originally Posted by Kevin Matchstick

Still, I can't wait to hear this entire. Because I'm old, I tried to buy it at Target tonight. Sadly, the superstore didn't carry it. But baby formula was on sale, so I forgave.

Even HMV (in Sheffield) didn't have it, as the friend who got me into Tegan and Sara told me on release day.

[Ray Abed]

I'd say the whole album is pretty strong. I can't argue with almost any song as a potential fave.