New Camera Obscura Album Approaching
As news, it went somewhat neglected on these pages because of personal Toad ties to Broken Records, but at the same time as they were signing to 4AD, another excellent Scottish band were making the same commitment, and announcing an imminent new album at the same time: Camera Obscura.
Let’s Get Out of This Country was a brilliant album, and I am hugely looking forward to the new record. Let’s… took me a while to get into, in large part due to opening with the slightly misleadingly infectious Lloyd, I’m Ready to Be Heartbroken. The rest of the album, for all it was still catchy of course, was a lot warmer and more enveloping than bouncy and poppy. So having been wrong-footed from the start it took me just a little while to adjust. I went to see them a year or so ago and, amazingly, Mrs. Toad both accompanied me and really enjoyed it. I honestly never have any idea when that’s going to happen, the woman’s completely unpredictable.
Anyhow, they have also, in advance of the release, decided to pass on the title track of the album to the rest of us as a teaser, and here is it: My Maudlin Career. It’s certainly classic Camera Obscura, and both that shimmer of piano that tiptoes its way through the song and the return of Tracyanne’s gorgeous voice fill me with optimism. It’s out on the 20th April.
Camera Obscura – My Maudlin Career
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Camera Obscura – Super Trouper
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
And one from Let’s Get Out of This Country:
Camera Obscura – Razzle Dazzle Rose
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Yep, optimistic stuff here. It’s all floaty and full of tingly bell sounds balanced by a lovely natural voiced female vocal (as opposed to that affected, little girl style so popular in pop music). As a newcomer to CO, I’m now figuring out what all the fuss is about, thanks for the feature on them today, xoxoxo
Faux-little girl sound – like who? I’m not disagreeing, just wondering who in particular is starting to wind you up.
oh…there are a few folk out there like that for sure…Twas indeed a good gig, that camera Obscura one, in fact, the very first night I met Mr and Mrs. Toad : ) Love the new track, looking forward to the album.
That’s true, I’d forgotten about that. How long ago was that? A couple of years now at least, I assume.
About a year ago I lost the first six months’ worth of Toad posts, so that review is gone forever, it would seem. Shitbags.
It was before I got married and the now Mrs. 17 Seconds was very envious because she loves Camera Obscura and was working that night…it was March 2007. Funny how etc. etc..
I lost everything from Nov 2006, when songbytoad.blogspot.com first started up until the start of April 2007, when I moved over to Wordpress for the first time, I think.
Wasn’t it someone like Jaymay who supported? I can’t remember.
http://www17seconds.blogspot.com/2007/03/gig-review-camera-obscuraned-collett.html
It was Ned Collett; cannot remember anything about him, though…
Shamefully, neither can I. Probably too busy talking at the back.
I can’t wait for the album. They’re great live