My Maudlin Career

Spin (p.85) - "On their fourth album, this Scottish indie-pop band's fondness for woeful heartache and Phil Spector-esque production reaches a poignant peak." Spin (p.102) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "Strings and hearts swoon, handclaps and snares pop, and bells and chimes ring out. It might sound formulaic, if it weren't so gorgeous." Billboard (p.29) - "The group's fourth album overflows with the signature mix of sticky-sweet lyrics backed by grandiose pop arrangements." Q (Magazine) (p.119) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "MY MAUDLIN CAREER sighs and swells with a shimmering, understated beauty..." Paste (magazine) - "[B]lissed-out orchestral indie pop, enlivened with classic Motownisms and overflowing with silvery tones..." Pitchfork (Website) - "The album feels as if it could have been released any time in the last 50-odd years, but the inspired arrangements -- and, of course, Campbell's indelible voice -- make it sound fresh, too." Record Collector (magazine) (p.80) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "Singer Tracyanne Campbell's voice retains its alluring coquettishness on pretty much all of MMC..." Clash (Magazine) (p.108) - "['French Navy'] carries plenty of tinny charisma, bolstered by a brass band and the wholesome clarity of Camera Obscura's unfailing musical consistency."

愛すべきバンドの宝庫であるグラスゴーのインディー・シーンにおいて、誰よりも60'sポップスへの憧れを露わにしてきたカメラ・オブスキューラだが、4枚目となるニュー・アルバムでその志向はさらに高められた印象だ。優美でノスタルジックなサウンドに甘〜いメロディー、キュートな女子ヴォーカル、そこに4AD印の耽美なサイケデリアが仄かに立ちこめる。〈夢幻的なロネッツ〉と表現したい一枚。　
bounce (C)田中幹也