Camera Obscura- Lets Get Out of this Country

Camera Obscura- Lets Get Out Of This Country 7/10

Under the Radar gave this album a slot in its Top 3 of 2006, it's 2007 and i'm finally getting my hands on it. Camera Obscura was also labelled the new Belle and Sebastian, but i don't completely agree with that statement. Apparently Stewart Murdoch of Belle and Sebastian even produced their first album, real shocker. Both bands are from Scotland, there's soo much European love these days....The first track--"Hey Lloyd, I'm Ready To Be Heartbroken" is driven by female vocals, Belle and Sebastian-esq rhythms and surprisingly an organ, Cute, but it has been done. At 2:46 you hear a cool trumpet solo, i'm pretty interested in hearing this live.... This album sounds pretty old school and when i say old school, i mean oldies 1150 sound, it's likely to be the old soundly Lesley Gore-type vocals, but i kind of dig it. Definately a different vibe than Belle and Sebastian, it's a little more refreshed.To like this album i think you need to like that oldies scene... Some may percieve this album to be 'boring', but i think it's a step back, a classic sound. I think it's reviving the right music, something your grandparents may even like. It's definately the new 'indie'---i can see why it's up there on charts, however i wouldn't block it in the 'Twee' sound it's not twee and it's a tad like Belle and Sebastian but not much more. The most energetic track on this album is obviously the first track, which immediately puts you in a super energetic mood for the album. I think it needs more 'umph' like on the first track, i really dig that, somethign i could dance to. Where as the rest of the album kind of takes a bust. Download: "Hey Lloyd, I'm Ready To Be Heartbroken"

February 14, 2007