Camera Obscura Album: “Let's Get Out of This Country”

This is simply one of the loveliest albums you will ever hope to hear. Tracyanne Campbell and her band mates in Camera Obscura have labored under the shadow of their fellow Glasgow musicians Belle and Sebastian. It doesn't help that like Belle and Sebastian their songs are more softly edged and lyrical than most other rock bands. But although there is a superficial resemblance between the two bands, especially when Imogen Campbell takes the vocals instead of Murdoch, there are also significant differences. Campbell is a far more delicate songwriter than Stuart Murdoch and her compositions are far more delicate. She lacks his brilliant quirkiness and astonishing gift for melody, though her songs frequently feature very fine melodies. But Murdoch is probably the finest melodist in music today, so the comparison is unfair to her. On the other hand, most of Campbell's lyrics express emotions that I can relate to far more easily than Murdoch's. He may be the greater artist, but she lives pretty much where I do.

Camera Obscura turned out two very good albums before this one, but this is easily their best effort yet. All of the songs are consistently excellent and Campbell's lovely voice graces everyone. She is a remarkably subtle singer, very gifted in her phrasing and expression. But as fine as she is as a singer, she is better as a songwriter. I like a lot of the cuts on this disc, in particular "I Need All the Friends I Can Get" and the truly sad "Dory Previn," about the young Mia Farrow breaking up her and Andre Previn's marriage. But my favorite cut by far is the extraordinary "Lloyd, I'm Ready to Be Heartbroken," named for one of Lloyd Cole's best songs on his classic album RATTLESNAKES, "Are You Ready to Be Heartbroken?"

All in all, this is one of my favorite albums of the year so far. I think it will appeal strongly to anyone who loves Belle and Sebastian, but also to people who are drawn to Mazzy Star. The album possesses much of the same wistfulness and longing found on their albums. Basically, if you love wonderfully subtle and magnificently fragile music, this is going to win your heart.

This little-known Scottish group has made a beautiful album of melancholy pop with "Let's Get Out Of This Country." It's one of the freshest and most exciting new discs I've heard in a while.

Lead singer/songwriter Tracyanne Campbell's vocal range may not be huge, but she sings with passion and a sort of languid power over dense, 60's inspired soundscapes with production heavily reminiscent of the famous Phil Spector "Wall Of Sound." That is to say, a lot of echo and reverb, not to mention unusual instrumentation and arrangements with a heavy early to mid-sixties feel.

Most of the numbers are mid-tempo, but I think Camera Obscura really shines on their faster numbers, such as the Cardigans-esque "Lloyd, I'm Ready To Be Heartbroken" and "If Looks Could Kill," the latter of which is a very rousing mod throwback to 60's girl groups, Carnaby Street, Swinging London, Pet Clark, Sandie Shaw, Cilla Black, etc., with drumming that rivals Iggy Pop's "Lust For Life" for bombast.

And the slower numbers are beautiful as well. The group shows a lot of 'range' here, with the countryish sounds of "Dory Previn", the lounge-y "Tears For Affairs", and the epic, movie soundtrack sounding "Country Mile' (the title suits the track very well.) The closing track, "Razzle Dazzle Rose", is absolutely fantastic, especially the last minute or so, where the song morphs from a breezy bounce into a prolonged, amazingly slow, Spanish Bullfighter Brass section. At that point, I'm not sure *what* to call the music I'm hearing, but I like it...

A final note I wanted to add is that while historically singers from England and Scotland have tried to "Americanize" their accents somewhat (as in Joe Jackson, etc.), Campbell lets her Scots accent come through very well. Although the words are easily understandable, her vowels are a lot of fun! If you like strong melodies, unique arrangements, and that wistful Scots sound, you'll enjoy this one. ;oD

This album is unique in that it still has the same Camera Obscura flavour, yet it has a foreign sound to it, unlike the sound in previous albums. Whatever they did, I quite like it and hope and pray that they give us something more to listen to one day.

I heard "Come Back Margaret" on Internet radio and liked it so much I bought this album hoping for more tunes as rich in melody with that sorta retro sound. The entire album far exceeded my expectations. Tracyanne Campbell is is a brilliant singer and songwriter, and this disc is a masterpiece.

The first two Camera Obscura albums were very good. The band's third effort, LET'S GET OUT OF THIS COUNTRY is simply great. It was produced in Sweden by Jari Haapalainen (who also brings out the best in The Concretes). People call this sound "twee pop." Depending on your perspective, that term may or may not make this album sound appetizing. Just listen. You'll be charmed.

Standout tracks: "Lloyd, I'm Ready to be Heartbroken," "Tears for Affairs," "Dory Previn," "Lets Get Out of this Country," "The False Contender," and "Razzle Dazzle Rose."