Tegan and Sara - This Business of Art (2000)

Canadian folksingers Tegan and Sara's debut album debut album on fellow Canuck Neil Young's Vapor Records is a formidable first effort betraying a startling maturity for two 19-year-olds. There is enough depth in the lyrics of "Come On" or "Frozen" to bear repeated listenings, while the mainly acoustic-based instrumentation provides a spare yet rhythmically interesting backdrop for the sisters' musings on life and love. There is also a defiance in some of the lyrics (witness "Proud": "Freedom and blood/ I make my mark and fight for tomorrow"). While there is still evidence of room to grow as each sister betrays a distinct influence (Tracy Chapman for one and Ani DiFranco the other), this decidedly fresh debut is a step toward a very bright future indeed. Apparently they are utterly captivating live as well so expect this duo to stick around for quite some time.