Camera Obscura - Let's Get Out of This Country

Camera Obscura, every Optics student’s favorite band, mixes breezy subtleness and old-fashioned pop songs on their most recent effort, “Let’s Get Out of This Country.” The track listing is split between upbeat melodies and dreamy, graceful ballads. The slow gentle tunes “Country Mile” and “Dory Previn” are sleepers and are not even satisfactory as background music since they rely on lazy and lethargic drifting between phrases. “The False Contender” tries to cover up the lifelessness with accordion, but these guys are just a second too late. Upbeat songs like “Lloyd, I’m ready to Be Heartbroken” and the title track provide a comforting signal that the band has a pulse, but I wonder if the only reason I like these songs is that they’re just an alternative to the boring ballads. Unfortunately, the rating system doesn’t work on that factor. There’s virtually no repeatability factor in the tracks. While the catchier tunes prove interesting, but not necessarily memorable. The overall sound is just very monotonous. Tracyanne Campbell’s voice is close to Karen Ann’s range, pretty but ephemeral. The other musicians never show a hint of personality. Solos are wasted, and melodies are delivered in a stale, re-wrapped package. Everything blends together, but in a dull and unimaginative manner (except for Lee Thomson changing the pace with the drum beat). Fans of the harmless brand of indie pop are better off looking for Camera’s earlier efforts, or other groups such as one of the best unsigned bands—The Melody Unit, spotlight-worthy Acid House Kings, or their still-breathing ancestors, Belle and Sebastian. With such a distinguished discography under their belt, Camera Obscura rarely deliver here, producing an album about as fun as pulling weeds. [www.camera-obscura.net]