Musicians complete Sainthood

Tegan and Sara Quin must have anticipated their fans' impatience to hear their long-awaited album "Sainthood" after their 2007 release "The Con".

The pair streamed their entire album, all 13 complete songs, via MySpace on Oct. 20 and it was awesome. "Sainthood" is Tegan and Sara's sixth studio album set to be released Oct. 27.

Tegan and Sara explained the title and theme of "Sainthood" as emotional longing and the small actions we do to be noticed by those we maintain feelings for. It's also about obsession with romantic ideals. "Sainthood's" discography translates these hopes, wants and obsessions into sometimes heart-wrenching, at times upbeat, but always relatable, enjoyable songs, which fans have come to always associate with Tegan and Sara.

The album begins with a tune unlike any other I've heard from them. "Arrows" has roots in techno, but whenever it converts to the chorus it turns to a more aesthetically pleasing pop sound and also to a more identifiable Tegan and Sara song. The lyrics definitely have something to do with arrows; however, when the chorus resonates I'm confused as to whether she is the target or the arrow. Nonetheless, this is the perfect song to open the album simply because of its diversity from any of their previous work.

"Northshore" places second as a never-been-heard-before Tegan and Sara song. Tegan wrote the lyrics to the song as well as sang it. Sara has noted the difference in recording between her and Tegan. Where she is surgical and precise, Tegan is like a time bomb waiting to go off.

A time bomb waiting to go off is the best explanation for this surprisingly punk rock song. Combined with the guitar riffs, drumming, lyrics and the delivery of the lyrics, the song feels like it should be screamed except it isn't.

"Northshore" wins the award as shortest song on the record, but if anything it just adds to the punk rock atmosphere of the ballad. It's there, it's loud, it's fast, and it's over.

If there is one aspect I would attribute to most all of Tegan and Sara's work it would be their length in songs. "Don't Rush", coming in at only two minutes and 45 seconds, starts great and ends too soon fitting the criteria as a typical Tegan and Sara song. Only "Red Belt" saves "Arrows" from being the shortest song on the record, with the exception of "Northshore". A two minute and 11 second tune with a simple drum beat, "Red Belt" is reminiscent of "Back of Your Head", a song from their 2007 album "The Con."

Not all the songs made it to my favorites right away. "Hell", the first single from "Sainthood", has an annoying chorus, which repeats and repeats and repeats itself into the folds of the brain and not in a good way. "Sentimental Tune" also grates my nerves because it feels and sounds like the song before it "The Ocean"; however, "The Ocean" is better in terms of the sad, regretful and emotional lyrics and the quick-paced drum pattern.

Tegan and Sara's grand plan was to collaborate with one another on the songs of their album as a way to revitalize the band and their sound. A twin collaboration, which in all of their previous five albums has never been done, happens on "Sainthood" in the form of "Paperback Head". The tune isn't exactly amazing and unfortunately it is the only one of its kind on the disc; however, I will say the future of Tegan and Sara collaborative songs looks bright from the example set by this piece of work.