By: Erica Lenti
If you thought “Alligator” – the latest single from Canadian indie-rock sensations Tegan and Sara couldn’t get any catchier, think again.
The sister act have experienced a great deal of success since the release of their 2009 hit album, Sainthood. Between landing a summer tour with Grammy-nominated Paramore, and volunteering their time to charitable organizations, Tegan and Sara have still managed to release the Alligator LP, a compilation of remixes to the second single off Sainthood, “Alligator.” The album features works from the likes of Passion Pit, Ra Ra Riot, and Holy F***, and has been described as a fantasy come-true for those who have ever dreamt about a dance party with “17 versions of the same song” by the twins themselves. Though it has strayed from the conventional “Tegan and Sara indie-like sound,” the Alligator LP offers a more upbeat, dance alternative to an already well-grounded song.
Tegan and Sara claim that there is “something for everyone” on this album, and clearly, there is. The songs themselves are great, and as mentioned previously, are very catchy. The standout song of the album is most definitely VHS or Beta’s remix, which gives off a vibe reminiscent of the music from the Madonna era. Such a sound is a perfect fit to the original, and thus makes the remix sound a lot more natural than the other tracks. The 80’s-esque sound is also explored by Passion Pit, who continue the poppy, upbeat theme of the album. Their remix is likely the most memorable song of the compilation, and as a result, it has since been accompanied by a music video.
Slowing things down is the third track of the album: a remix by Toro Y Moi. While it is more suitable for an “easy-listening” audience, this song could easily be a club hit with its mellow groove and slower pace. Four Tet’s remix falls in a category of a similar fashion, making novel use of a xylophone to interject a slow-paced intro. Naturally, these songs are the most unique of the album, falling under an unusual genre for a Tegan and Sara compilation.
Perhaps the most interesting track of the album for most Tegan and Sara fans is Sara’s original demo of “Alligator.” While the song is quite similar to the final product, it gives fans a chance to understand how the song developed from its earliest forms. Subsequently, it felt fitting that the album closed with a song from the girls themselves.
For some, the Alligator LP may seem repetitive, especially since the original itself is quite monotonous. In fact, most of the remixes tend to repeat the singular lyrics for the song, and it can be mundane at times. To put it simply, the Alligator LP is not for those who want to experience a great diversity of songs in an album. It does, however, take an interesting approach on capturing the varying perspectives of a single song from a range of talented artists.
The Alligator LP is to be released on vinyl shortly. Until then, you can purchase the digital download on iTunes.
Recommended Tracks: VHS or Beta Remix, Toro Y Moi Remix, Passion Pit Remix
For Fans Of: Passion Pit, Four Tet, Ra Ra Riot
Rating: 8/10
Mon, May 10, 2010
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