Tegan And Sara @ Metro (10/7/2005)

They are the two chatty Canadian twin pixies of rock and roll that continue to capture the hearts of fans with each album they release. From Neil Young to Ryan Adams, Tegan and Sara Quin have made a name and place for themselves among the boys. They have gone from open-mic nights at cafes to packed clubs and stadium crowds. On Friday night, the twin sisters returned to Chicago for the first time since their derailed performance at this summer's Lollapalooza (Sara suffered a heat stroke). The sold-out Metro crowd expressed their love and loyalty with abundant volume throughout the night.

Supported by a three-piece band, Tegan and Sara strolled through much of their latest album So Jealous while making small talk with the crowd in between songs. The twin sisters amped up their sound from gentle, acoustic tunes into three minute pop power pleasures. Early on the stage was set with the rolling melodies of "I Bet It Stung" and the whispering "I Know I Know I Know." Equipment problems would occasionally plague Tegan and Sara, but they brushed them off their shoulders with a laugh. Something that couldn't be laughed at was how their duo vocals would get lost among the crunching electric guitars and bashing drums. One such moment was during the more acoustic flavored "Where Does The Good Go." Certainly, on record, it's one of the best songs Tegan and Sara have penned to date--weaving harmonies topped off with lush textures--but it's beauty got lost in the mix that night at Metro.

For a team of songwriters like Tegan and Sara, volume comes in second to the quality of the songs, but the girls have branched out to marry the sonic muscle with the words. It's that desire to be more than you are that slightly hampers them from being great. They are without question a solid, sometimes quirky duo that can achieve so much vocally. Their songs get better and better with each album. So, why try to become a rock band when you're not? Well, because they can. That's just not always the best reason to shoot for the BIG guitars.

It didn't seem to matter to the crowd. Every word and every note made them want to dance and sing along. The rough, punch in the throat blast of the chorus to "So Jealous" had fists pumping in the air. "Speak Slow" was infectious with its jumpy hooks, and "Monday Monday Monday" cast a dreamy spell over the crowd. Give Tegan and Sara some credit: they have a strong handle on their pop hooks.

The fun continued into their encore with a revamped, moody version of Bruce Springsteen's "Dancing In The Dark." Surely, The Boss would have appreciated the different take on his song. Then joining Tegan and Sara for the show finale "You Wouldn't Like Me" were show openers Marjorie Fair and Northern State. It was the feel good end to the night. Tegan and Sara let their songs make the case that they are deserving of the praise and buzz. And while they may not be on the same level as sibling rockers Noel and Liam Gallagher of Oasis in terms of open rivalry on stage, they are still amusing with their openess to rib each other as only sisters can do--to talk about the other's period or trump the other's songwriting ability. What more could you ask for?

All Photos By: Chris Castaneda