Scots. They know how to spin a heartbursting pop ditty don't they? One such band is Camera Obscura, always skulking in the shadow of fellow country(wo)men Belle & Sebastian - they've now been gobbled up by the zeitgeist smashing 4AD and have borne a new bouncing baby named 'My Maudlin Career'. The thing is with this band is that whilst their songs spill with the essence of heartbreak, the songs have this swing & zest that suggests the sweetest Northern Soul, Phil Spector's famous wall of sound and the yummiest quality Scando indie pop, all rolled into this charming bundle of warmly executed, hazy guitar pop. I'm especially fond of Tracyanne Campbell's casual, honey'd burr, have been a little obsessed with it since the glorious 'Teenager'. This album was initially underwhelming for me but the songs reveal themselves to be as rich & effortlessly cool as anything that's come before by the second listen. I think they just naturally write understated hits off the cuff, like making a cup of tea. If yr a fan, there's every reason to fall in love with this latest collection of country flecked laments, if you like The Pipettes or even the Welsh "bombshell" Duffy and are still not familiar with this enigmatic, lovelorn bunch I suggest you, like, get on the fucking bus. CD/LP on 4AD.
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Sound clips for My Maudlin Career by Camera Obscura: on vinyl at Norman Records UK. LP (vinyl), 4AD, CAD2907, £12.99.
· Camera Obscura’s last album, ‘Let’s Get Out Of This Country’ was to prove pivotal, taking them out of the shadows and to long-deserved new heights. “You might not find heartache as enchanting as this anywhere else,” stated All Music Guide in a glowing review. The band had finally found the time and ears of discerning music fans worldwide. Nearly three years on from that release and Camera Obscura are ready to release the follow up, ‘My Maudlin Career’, their first for 4AD and fourth overall. · After his successful touches on their last album, the band returned to Sweden to work again with producer Jari Haapalainen (Ed Harcourt, Peter, Bjorn & John, The Concretes). His wonderful understanding with the band continues to flourish, again fully realising not just the potential of lead singer Tracyanne Campbell’s songs and remarkable voice, but also the ensemble musicianship of the group as a whole. · Speaking about ‘My Maudlin Career’, Tracyanne Campbell commented, “Some people who have heard it say it’s intense and quite dark. I suppose it is in a way. We were even more open and brave when making it than we were with the last record. I’ve never been so brutal when its come to writing lyrics. I wouldn’t even call them lyrics. Just documentation of what was going on with me for a while. I truly believe it’s the best we’ve done so far”.
French Navy * The Sweetest Thing * You Told A Lie * Away With Murder * Swans * James * Careless Love * My Maudlin Career * Forests And Sands * Other Towns And Cities * Honey In The Sun
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