My Maudlin Career

I have to say that after stumbling upon a music video by this group by accident a few months ago, I've fallen in love with these guys, their music is just incredible! Now I don't say this lightly, I've been around and heard a LOT of music over the years, and Camera Obscura rates up there with the best of them in my opinion. I mean it's so rare to listen to an album and discover that I love almost every song on the album, and then to find that the same can be said for every one of their albums. I have to say I can't remember feeling that way about any group since the Beatles, and while I'm not in any way comparing C.O to the Fab Four, lol, I am saying that it's is not often that you find a group that puts so much quality work/music into a release.Sad to say, it's a terrible shame that in todays music industry a band out of Scotland just isn't going to get any airtime on the pop-stations and what a loss that is for those of us on this side of the pond. Their music has a quality and depth to the writing, composition and arrangement that is a refreshing pleasure compared to all the stripped down, unoriginal, American Idol flash-in-the-pan pop groups a lot of people are hooked on these days, plus I love the fact that Camera Obscura's music is both new, yet captures perfectly retro sounds from the 60's and 70's and spans a broad spectrum from rock to country, all while sounding completely original. Give them a listen and you won't be sorry!

Camera Obscura are back. Working again with producer Jari Haapalainen. Picking up pretty much where they left off. Single "French Navy" starts in a dusty library, where Tracyanne Campbell sings "I was waiting to be struck by lightning/Waiting for somebody exciting/Like you." In the world of Camera Obscura, of course, love is impossible to control and you don't have to be called Lloyd to break somebody's heart. "The Sweetest Thing" is a girl-group ballad with a Scottish accent. Title track "My Maudlin Career" sounds like a throwback ("I'm not a child I know/We're not going steady...") to the classic "Teenager" from breakout album "Underachievers Please Try Harder" ("You're not a teenager/So don't act like one..."). It seems perhaps MY MAUDLIN CAREER is not about reflecting sentimentally on the career of global twee-pop superstars. It's about the folly of wishing and hoping in dusty libraries -- and the after effects of being struck by romantic lightning. Of course, being an international recording artist might come into play too. "Let's Get Out of the Country" may have been a great career move. But it means that former lovers are left behind in "Other Towns & Cities." Hotel rooms make a great place to get truly maudlin ("Drinking whisky reminds me of you... Who's holding you tonight?") The sun comes up again (in Mexico City) on bouncy final track "Honey in the Sun." If you enjoyed getting out of the country with these Glaswegians last time around, you'll be delighted to rejoin the band on its musical journey.

I would describe this music as jazzy, folksy, and upbeat. I love it! I have been listening to this album everyday since I got it.

This is easily in my top 10 favorite albums of all time. I think the songs (melodies, horn/string arrangements, Tracyanne's voice, etc) are better than ever here. The lyrics are great, as always. A lot of people see this as "Let's Get Out of This Country" Pt. 2, but I don't think so. I think "My Maudlin Career" has a totally different vibe, and the songs have SO much more immediacy. They are some of the catchiest songs I've ever heard, even if they aren't innovatively so, somehow it's just perfection here. All though it's still a modern indie take on traditional pop, this album has a much more lively sound than "Let's Get Out of This Country", especially on the first half of the album. It's a full out pop-hook blitzkrieg with incredibly sunny numbers, and some of the best songs on the album, and of Tracyanne's career. The second half of the album sees some more slow-paced tracks that really show the emotion and angst in Campbell's voice, and it's absolutely lovely. The record concludes with the horn-filled "Honey in the Sun" which is upbeat, happy, and also sad, and it's a perfect exclamation to an essentially perfect album. My only concern now is that the band might not be able to top this one, but I can't wait to see them try!

Camera Obscura originally captured my attention in April 2009 when I heard the title track of this album on a video segment on Good Morning America a few days prior to its release. Every track on "My Maudlin Career" is different, making it impossible to choose a favorite, yet all share the same retro pop flavor that keeps one coming back for more. On this album, as well as on each prior record, Camera Obscura blends all of the best aspects of music, past and present, together to make a sheer listener's delight. Do not hesitate; purchase "My Maudlin Career" NOW!

No issues at all as for the sound of the vinyl, as for the music either you have heard them or not, this is a great album.

I discovered My Maudling Career by Camera Obscura by complete chance, liked the extracts on Amazon and bought the album almost on a whim. I am in wonderment. This Scottish band has produced one of the most intelligent and charming set for the Summer of 2009, helped by the gorgeous voice of Tracyanne Campbell and the luscious sound of the Scottish group produced by the Swede Jari Haapalainen. The rhythms are catchy throughout and the lyrics charming. Standouts are "The Sweetest Thing" and "You Told a Lie".

Simply put this is a masterpiece. By far their best album. 60s girl group balladry ala Supremes meets Patsy Cline sentiment with a style all their own. Labeled Indie, having Twee origins, this is the female equivalent to Belle and Sebastian, however this stuff is painfully beautiful!

I have been vaguely aware of Camera Obscura for a few years but for some..er..obscure reason never checked them out until now.What a find.I have had the album for about six weeks and without lapsing into hyperbole (but am about to) this is the best record I have heard in years.And years.It took a few listens not only to get into the 11 superbly crafted,efortless songs but to penetrate Tracyanne Campbells glasweigian accent.After that,it was uphill all the way.Belle and Sebastian have just realesed 'Write about Love' but,sorry guys, Tracyanne has beaten you to it.Every song is an exploration of heartbreak,joy and unrequited passion.Don't know anything about Ms Campbells love life but it must have been a bit of a roller coaster to produce songs like this.An absolute triumph.

I first heard this band singing live on Radcliffe & Maconie's show and the first song they played made me want to buy the album.They are often compared to Belle & Sebastian and I would imagine that most people who liked one would like the other. Highlights of the CD are French Navy and Swans.

Easily their best album. Camera Obscura are The Beatles of twee.

Classic Camera Obscura. Re bought because I had scratched my original copy.

A wonderful, wonderful album.Cannot stop listening to