CAMERA OBSCURA
Let's Get Out of this Country
Merge
· Third album from Glasgow's pop sextet has a pretty ’60s sheen. Produced by Jari Haapalainen (The Concretes and Ed Harcourt).
Every so often, Camera Obscura front woman Tracyanne Campbell comes off like a little kid sitting on her front doorstep, letting a melting popsicle dribble down her arm. She's distractedly thinking about the boy sitting in the desk in front of her at school and how she's cheating on him by holding hands with another boy whom she doesn't even like.
Campbell must wield a Papermate like someone who has been through a few self-inflicted heartaches and a stack of diaries – a quick wit and contemplative lyrics make her sound a lot less vulnerable than her girlish vocals imply. Regardless, her voice sparkles and, despite the lyrics, Let's Get Out of this Country has a decidedly bright disposition full of the kind of lush pop that instantly clears grey skies.
The opening gem, "Lloyd, I'm Ready to Be Heartbroken," perfectly shows off the dichotomy of the album – pensive lyrics paired with an irresistible musical jingle. While the song seems like a nod to Say Anything's fearless Lloyd Dobler, it's actually an answer to Lloyd Cole & the Commotions' 16-year-old song "Are You Ready to be Heartbroken?" Cole chides "Are you ready to be heartbroken? Are you ready to bleed?" Campbell is, but her bandmates want to shimmy with Phil Spector and his Wall of Sound.
A perfect lead single, "Lloyd" sets a promising tone for the rest of the album, which pleasingly unfolds like a box of sweet confections. There's variety (the soft bossanova "Tears for Affairs") and the stylishly vintage (the ’60s flavoured "If Looks Could Kill") embedded in a mostly dream pop repertoire. Let's Get Out of this Country concludes as strongly as it begins with an ornate send-off from the horn section in "Razzle Dazzle Rose."
Since forming 10 years ago, Camera Obscura have been harnessed to Belle and Sebastian comparisons. Contributions from Belle and Sebastian's auteur Stuart Murdoch and drummer Richard Colburn didn't help. With this third release, Campbell and her cohorts prove that they're no wallflowers. They may want to get out of their country, but first, they've made a strong step out of Murdoch's shadow. Both newcomers to Camera Obscura and their indie pop army will be swooning with approval.
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