By Stan Cierlitsky
Camera Obscura release their sixth studio album this week on Merge Records. Look to the East, Look to the West is another really solid album by a band that's been at it for more than 25 years now. It really seems like Tracyanne Campbell and company have the formula down for how to put their albums together. It's gonna have some great pop singles, some slow introspective songs, and a little snarkiness throughout (although now being a mom might tamp that down for Tracyanne a little). And this new album nicely seems to follow the formula. I should also point out that this is Camera Obscura's first album since the passing of longtime member Carey Lander in 2015. Cancer sucks.
The first single off the new album, and already one of my all-time favorite Camera Obscura songs, is "Big Love". What a triumphant return! This one features Tim Davidson on pedal steel guitar. It has to be one of the most country-sounding songs they've done, and its focus is squarely on heartbreak.
Their third single is another one of my favorites. It's called "Liberty Print" and it's the album's first track. Beautiful keyboards open this one, and those juxtapose nicely with Campbell's voice. As the song ramps up, the shimmery guitar starts to take center-stage for me. And her lyrics generally put a smile on my face: "Thoughts are getting hotter than the steam. From my bathtub, it's keeping me clean."
I also really liked the song "Pop Goes Pop". It's a little bit of a country hoedown with a big dose of keyboards which remind me of Felt. I should also mention that even though I am mostly a sucker for their poppier songs, Camera Obscura offer up a few really beautiful slow songs here on Look to the East, Look to the West too. "Only a Dream" is a standout. It features a little bit of slow, space-y surf rock-guitar, and piano. And there is also the piano ballad "Sugar Almond" which seems to be a beautiful tribute to the late Carey Landers. Sigh.
I am so glad this album is finally out. I wasn't sure we were going to an ever get a sixth record from this band. And I'm so excited to finally see this band live on June 19 at the 930 Club.
Look to the East, Look to the West by Camera Obscura is out on Merge Records this week.
[Photo: Robert Perry]