The follow-up to 2007's The Con, Sainthood addresses secular themes of devotion, delusion, and exemplary behavior in the pursuit of love and relationships. The songs, Tegan and Sara say, were "inspired by emotional longing and the quiet actions we hope may be noticed by the objects of our affection. Sainthood is about obsession with romantic ideals. In the service of relationships we practice being perfect. We practice our sainthood in the hope that we will be rewarded with adora­tion. As we are driven to become anything for someone else, we sometimes become martyrs for our cause.

Love, like faith, can never be held in an individual's hands. But the story of a great love affair – especially one that is unrequited or has ended too soon – can be woven like scripture or a bedtime story. And so the themes of Sainthood are tied together by this simple title, borrowed, with great respect, from the lyrics of the Leonard Cohen song 'Came So Far For Beauty': 'I practiced all my sainthood / I gave to one and all / But the rumors of my virtue / They moved her not at all.'"

Tegan and Sara began recording Sainthood in May at the legendary Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, CA, where Tom Petty, Nirvana, and Fleetwood Mac have all recorded. They finished laying down tracks at Seattle's Two Sticks Audio, owned by Death Cab drummer Jason McGerr.

Tegan and Sara have also recently completed their first ever set of books, titled ON, IN, AT. The three-book set chronicles different time periods in writing and photographs from the past year of Tegan and Sara's lives: their 2008 US national tour, their 2009 Australian tour, and a joint writing session in New Orleans for the new album. The books are being released in conjunction with the Sainthood pre-sale.

To celebrate the release of Sainthood, Tegan and Sara will perform four very special shows: October 25th and 26th at Los Angeles' Orpheum Theater, and October 30th and 31st at New York City's Town Hall. Tickets for all shows are on-sale now.

Also confirmed: Tegan and Sara will perform live on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien on Nov 2. Check local listings for details. Plans for a full U.S. tour in February 2010 in support of Sainthood will be announced soon. Canadian tour dates have just been announced.