Merge records released Belle and Sebastian clones Camera Obscura's new album "Underachievers Please Try Harder" Jan. 27.
Who are they? Where are they from? What do they sound like? In answer to these questions, Camera Obscura was formed in 1996 and released a number of singles, but it was not until 2002 that they came out with their first full length album, "Biggest Bluest Hi-Fi."
It is very possible that many people have not heard of this indie-pop group from Glasgow, Scotland, because, just like most independent bands, they are not played on American radio. Their sound is smooth, mellow, catchy and very "soft." There are no crazy solos, but there is a neat blend of instruments, beginning with the usual guitar, drums and bass all the way to the organ, mandolin, harmonica and trumpet. Basically, there is enough going on in the music that the band believes it needs to have seven members.
Some other bands from Glasgow people may have heard of include Travis and Belle and Sebastian. Unfortunately, it does not appear that Camera Obscura sounds anything like Travis, but they do, at first listen, sound suspiciously similar to Belle and Sebastian (also formed in 1996). Camera Obscura has the same type of catchy songs (except not as catchy), the same different instruments (except not as different), the same female singer (except not as female) and the same male singer (also not as female) as Belle and Sebastian. In fact, the only real difference between Belle and Sebastian and Camera Obscura as far as I can see is that Camera Obscura is just not as good. This is not to say that they are not good, because they are -- they just aren't as good. When the band is given a fair chance and judged on its music as opposed to how they are not Belle and Sebastian, things happen. Two women and one man take turns singing different songs; there does not appear to be one particular singer that runs the band.
The lyrics of Camera Obscura are sort of flaky and whimsical (like Belle and Sebastian), yet at the same time serious. Perhaps this is what threw me off at first. Because they are so similar to Belle and Sebastian, I grouped them together until I began to wonder, "Wait, am I supposed to take these lyrics seriously?" I am still not sure. With the chorus in the first song saying, "I should be suspended from class/I don't know my elbow from my arse," one would think no. But when the album slows down in song six and the man sings, "She told me you'd given up drinking to be with somebody you knew/ And you tried to get into the Bible but it never got into you," it kind of makes you think. Usually when I am listening to wosie music, I don't want to think. I want a guy that sings with a lisp and lyrics that neither he nor I take too seriously. It is unfortunate that Camera Obscura does not have this.
Besides sounding like Belle and Sebastian, there is no band to compare to Camera Obscura. Perhaps the guitar rift in track three sounds like an oldies song, and some aspect of the music has a retro 1960s feel, but they really don't sound like any specific older group. Basically, I don't think they have any dead influences. No dead influences? Who are these sick people? Didn't they ever listen to Zeppelin? I really don't get the impression that they did.
"Underachievers Please Try Harder" has to be given a chance to grow on you. The first time through is not going to leave you on your knees in the middle of the room crying for more, but it has what it takes to keep you coming back -- the beginnings of an addiction. Camera Obscura has put out a decent album with "Underachievers" and is on its way to gaining an impressive following. Not everybody gets a record deal. One thing about "Underachievers" is that, at first it is hard to get into, like a crab. When you do get into it, it's good, but it is still frustrating that there is not much meat. But, some people are really into crabs. I just happen to not be a big fan of seafood.
"Underachievers" went down like water the first few times through. It was not disgusting, but it was not as good as orange juice. But I say good for Camera Obscura. I hope that they continue to make records and keep doing their thing because they have a good thing going. I encourage anybody that is willing to listen and to support independent labels/music because they are a good thing and it would be a shame to lose them.
But, I have decided that with Belle and Sebastian, every song is catchy, so it is hard to dislike them, even though people will make fun of you for it. On the other hand, Camera Obscura is one band that I would probably never allow myself to get beat up over.
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