Tegan & Sara

Although only a modicum edgier than Kelly Clarkson, Canadian identical twins Tegan and Sara Quin have, oddly, been the toast of American indie for years. New Pornographer Howard Redekopp oversaw 2004’s ‘So Jealous’ and The White Stripes famously covered one of their songs (‘Walking With A Ghost’). On this – their fifth attempt – they de-bunked to a Portland basement with gushing pop-sop Chris Walla from Death Cab For Cutie. On initial listen, there appears to be something about ‘The Con’’s glinting, air-tight production that spares it. Bashful piano tumble ‘Back In Your Head’ straddles both Alisha’s Attic and Robyn, but it stands alone as the remainder blows cold – a vacant mix of standardised vest-top-rock bumpf which exudes forced fragility. A saddening case of brick production, paper soul – here the Quins are little more than twin airbags.

Greg Cochrane