I have a begrudging admiration for all things Camera Obscura. It's not really the sort of thing I like as a rule but when one of their songs comes on the office stereo I'm tappping my feet and feeling all innocent again. All past crimes have been erased from my memory for the duration of the song and I'm all innocent again. That's an appealing thing in this day and age as I feel like I'm breaking the law just geting out of bed these days. Such is the guilt culture we live in. Who else feels like a criminal when you see a police car? Anwyay this is a smart pop song with a 50's feel to it, big string section in the background to beef it up and some darling vocals from Tracyanne. It's been recorded in the new home of indie music (Stockholm) with what seems like the entire population of Sweden helping out. It's great that everyone get's a go. 'French Navy' is on 7" and CD single on 4AD!
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What their label says...
The recent announcement of new music from Camera Obscura was met with fervour from fans and their first single in over two years is just the tonic after their short absence. “In my head, I was writing it for Al Green to sing. I was trying to write something as good as ‘Belle’”, Tracyanne Campbell says of ‘French Navy’. · Already picking up lots of radio play, ‘French Navy’ is a brilliant pop record. A tale of a heart broken in two, it’s proof positive that the band have lost none of their sparkle during their hiatus - they’re still one of the UK’s most treasured acts.
