Seeing Other People: Camera Obscura
Posted by: zac | From: June 02, 2004
If you take one thing away from this entry, let it be this: Camera Obscura sounds like Belle & Sebastian. A lot. and judging from your reaction to that statement, i suggest you might want to skip this one.
My introduction to the band was, admittedly, a dubious one: the album cover (as photographed by Belle & Sebastian's Stuart Murdoch) of their latest effort, Underachievers Please Try Harder, indulges my shameful anglophilia in the face of British women--making (along with the promotional posters for the latest Electrelane album) record store visits in the early part of this year largely embarrassing for me. Confusing the band for a Southern California hardcore band of the same name (of whom I was never particularly fond), the record remained for months merely a curiosity of clever marketing, until I realized my awful mistake.
Camera Obscura formed in Glasgow in 1996, revolving around songwriter and lead vocalist Tracyanne Campbell's distinctly wry wit and delivery. After the release of a few UK singles the band began to blimp, eventually settling on a six piece line up of predictably pasty distinction. In 2001 the band released Biggest Blue Hi-Fi, an understated debut that featured a minor UK hit in the Stuart Murdoch-produced single "Eighties Fan"--a relationship that would prove the deathnail in their eternal Belle & Sebastian association.
Early this year Merge released their sophomore record stateside--the aforementioned Underachieverson the strength of which the band (now a seven piece) has been creating substantial noise. and deservedly. The record is a dramatic maturation of their previous output, with Campbell's literate, deceptively precious lyrics stepping up substantially; a compelling combination of twee sentimentality, isolationism, and sexual frustration. Which is to say, not altogether unlike that other Scottish band.
So, in conclusion--Camera Obscura sounds a lot like Belle & Sebastian. Or at least like their younger siblings. But with Belle & Sebastian hitting the skids for the past few years, it might be time to explore a band still in their active prime--lest we forget why they were great in the first place. For that, and for one of this year's best records, Camera Obscura will today carry the torch as the Greatest Band of All Time.
Yeah, "hitting ths skids for the past few years" is not something I agree with. They were amazing on 9/11 and Coachella 2002, and like Steve said, the new B&S album is terrific.
Okay, anway, I am going to listen to Camera Obscura and decide how much they sound like those other Glaswegian dudes.
Posted by: J_John at June 2, 2004 05:47 PM
S+J: Please understand that the following response in meant not for sheer masturbatory messageboard fandom, but as a more precise clarification.
Though I can't really vouch for their live performances of late, I do stand by my assessment of both recent full-lengths and the Storytelling soundtrack. I will admit to really enjoying about 1/3 of Dear Catastrophe Waitress (one song of which, "Lord Anthony," is mainly because it's from ancient back catalog) and a handful of songs peppered through the other records (most notably "The Chalet Lines" and "Scooby Driver"), I think its more than fair to say that the band is well past their collective prime. Which isn't to say that it's all bad—i've actually held out a good deal of hope after the release of the stellar Johnathan David and I'm Waking Up To Us EPs—but i think that it's been mostly downhill since Legal Man. Too kitschy for my tastes, plus—and this is another affliction that they share with Camera Obscura—a little too much democracy with microphone/songwriting duties.
Now, if you'll forgive me, I'm going to shower myself from all of this geek-shame.
Posted by: zac at June 2, 2004 06:55 PM
I do not love the newest B+S and agree with Zac.
I do love B+S a lot, though.
I like this band a lot and have had similar name confusion downloading songs online.
Very nice call.
Love,
KS
Posted by: krystal at June 2, 2004 10:49 PM
Didn't you name a semi-fictional band/failed exercise in modern dada after a song by Camera Obscura, the hardcore band you never cared for?
Just saying.
Posted by: scott at June 3, 2004 02:33 PM
if you are in fact referring to the fictional rock band/hoax Sex, As an Art Form [see http://www.tabletnewspaper.com/vol2iss_24/music/whohell24.htm for details] which I so haphazardly birthed in the early oughts... well, yes. I forgot that that's where I stole the name from. But either way, that's still one of the dumbest band names I've ever heard. and one of the dumbest song titles, as well.
Troubleman sure has some stuff to answer for about their early catalog.
Posted by: zac at June 3, 2004 03:03 PM
Dude, that label has always been inconsistant... they just hide it better now. Thier scope is admittedly real wierd though.
Enough about this!
Posted by: scott at June 4, 2004 11:06 AM
catastrophe waitress is soo freaking good. i love if she wants me, piazza, new york catcher, if you find yourself cauht in love, stay loose and more. i have heard some backlash from their lastest and i say it is a return to form.
camera obscura's new album is sooo good. yeah you can't help but to think of belle and sebastian but i love it so. i have so much love for both of these bands.
Posted by: curt at June 7, 2004 03:49 PM
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dude that new B&S is totally rockin.
those ladies do look awesome.
Posted by: Steve Schroeder at June 2, 2004 02:21 PM