Camera Obscura
has no doubt worn out their copy of
If You're Feeling Sinister
by now. Yes, their fellow Glasgow residents
Belle & Sebastian
are a huge influence on the group as the two share a similar musical sound, a similarly literate lyrical slant, and a similar overall approach. Look at it as a homage or a coincidence or whatever you like, but be sure to look past the surface because what you will find is enough to charm your socks off.
Underachievers Please Try Harder
is a stunningly unassuming, tender, sweet, melodic, and memorable record.
Tracyanne Campbell
's vocals are pure and honeyed, never veering into sappiness or out of tune. The band manages the rare feat of sounding full and rich without jamming every possible frequency with sound. It also throws in loads of imaginative little hooks that keep things lively. The songwriting is very nice, occasionally reaching the level of their idols' work.
"A Sisters Social Agony"
is angelic
doo wop
with lovely tinkling bells,
"Teenager"
is a sparse
ballad
with wonderfully cutting lyrics, and the quietly epic
"Books Written for Girls"
features
Campbell
's most aching vocal and sounds like the best track
Everything But the Girl
never recorded. Elsewhere the band takes trips into
country
(
"Before You Cry"
with co-lead vocals by
John Henderson
and
), acoustic
folk
balladry (
"Your Picture"
), and good old
indie pop
(the driving
"Number One Son"
) while never failing to achieve anything less than excellence. A necessary addition to the collection of
fans,
fans, and music lovers,
is an early contender for a best-of-2004 list. [The
Merge
release contains two tracks that the original
Elefant
release did not (
"I Don't Want to See You"
"Footloose and Fancy Free"
) and a video for
"Teenager."
] ~ Tim Sendra