Altsounds - Camera Obscura - My Maudlin Career [Album]

Who cares if it’s raining outside, there are riots in central London and there is a huge economic downturn that is set to ruin our lives for the next decade? If it means that bands make more albums like this sunshine filled delight then it is unfathomable how people can give two shillings.

Lead singer Tracyanne Campbell has a voice like honey, Glaswegian honey. Through her soft vocals comes through a wee taste of her Scottish lilt, a soothing blend complemented by echoing backing vocals and lullaby-like orchestration.

‘French Navy’, first single of the album (released 13 April 2009 on 4AD) and track 1 of ‘My Maudlin Career’, starts like a hit first played in the 60s. Radio Caroline would certainly have been proud to play it. “You make me go oooo/ With the things that you do” coo’s Campbell, wooing the listener. Heck, everyone will have a crush on her after hearing this album.

This LP, being their fourth, has taken Camera Obscura ever closer to the realms of The Concretes, with sounds full of flourishes of Phil Spector, Tobi Legend, Burt Bacharach and Sandi Shaw which results is something utterly delectable. The sixties are making a comeback musically, The Last Shadow Puppets being a huge hit with the old and young generations. More Scott Walker, Twiggy, northern soul and harmonious pop. Yay for the sixties!

In the press release for the record, Campbell explained that the new album is “quite dark” and “brutal” however in true Camera Obscura fashion; the heartbreakingly twee and dreamy pop songs pull out a string of emotions from happiness, to sadness through to elation and gloom. At its heart the record is soul, sprinkled with enchanting balladry and a little forlorn country. The rise and fall of relationships ending and new ones beginning…

‘James’ a sad ballad about heartbreak, which seems easy to relate to as Tracyanne softly sings “can’t you see you belong with me… oh James you broke me/ I thought I knew you well”. A heart-wrenching tear-jerker, vocals filled with despair and sadness.

‘My Maudlin Career’ cleverly reels you in thinking it's going to be all doom and gloom, however a powerful and melodic hook whacks you between your eyes and Tracyanne coos away, "My maudlin career has come to an end, I don't wanna be sad again." There’s a feeling, however, in true Camera Obscura fashion, that Tracyanne will be sad again, and that she’ll write a beautiful heartbreaking song about it.

The last song is ‘Honey In The Sun’- the perfect close to an album that feels like warm summer rain, looks like pretty girls in flowery dresses and tastes like your favourite ever cake. “I wish my heart was cold/ but it’s warmer than before/ I wish my heart was as cold as the morning dew/ but it’s as warm…. as honey in the sun for you” sings Tracyanne, in her soothing and truthful vocals.

This is definitely one of the top albums of 2009, up there with Animal Collective’s ‘Merriweather Post Pavilion’, Franz Ferdinand’s ‘Tonight’ and Bat For Lashes ‘Two Suns’. This is Camera Obscura’s most splendid album yet, so on Monday wipe away the post- Easter chocolate hangover and spend a few pennies on ‘My Maudlin Career’. It’ll be the best few quid you’ll spend this year.