Editor,
I would like to express disappointment with Carrie Leonard's cursory review of Tegan and Sara's concert published in the Daily Lobo on Thursday.
Although she claimed to have gone to the concert with an open mind, having never seen or heard the band before, her assessment of the show was anything but open-minded.
Leonard was dismayed that she couldn't easily determine Tegan and Sara's genre based on the look of their audience, a feat which might be easier accomplished at, say, an Avril Lavigne concert.ˇ
To me, this speaks to the fact that Tegan and Sara's music cannot be so easily pigeonholed or reduced to a genre-specific label.
Another complaint Leonard had was the price of the alcohol at the show. Alcohol is outrageously priced at any concert. Blame the venue. Blame inflation. But don't blame the band.
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I certainly hope it was the fact that she was in the back at the bar that prevented her from realizing that Tegan and Sara are identical twins rather than lovers. Either way, I find it hard to put much stock in the opinion of someone who missed such an obvious fact.
If writing too much music about relationships and emotions is reason to condemn the duo, then we have to do so to everyone else from Britney Spears to Rilo Kiley.
I think Tegan and Sara's music approaches such issues in a way that is both fun and idiosyncratic. Yes, they are lesbians, but this shouldn't have to define their music. They write about issues that affect everyone - gay, straight or bisexual.
I personally thought the concert was great. Unlike those in the back, those of us in the front were singing, dancing and enjoying ourselves.ˇ
Tegan and Sara's music popped just as much as it does on their albums, and despite other skeptical assessments, they actually were pretty funny.
Have I seen better shows? Sure.
Was it anywhere near as dismal as Leonard would have us believe?ˇ Far from it.ˇ
Clearly, being "conned" is completely a matter of opinion.
Melanie Unruh
UNM student
