Review: Camera Obscura's 'Desire Lines'

My favorite Glasgow band, Camera Obscura, is finally back with their long awaited follow up to 2009’s My Maudlin Career. Desire Lines, released last week via 4AD, is the band’s fifth studio album and captures the very essence of why so many love and adore this charismatic quintet.

The album starts off with a brief instrumental introduction, sort of a “please take your seats as we take you on an enrapturing journey,” but it isn’t long before the sweet sound of Tracyanne Campbell’s voice fills the listener’s ear and the familiar sounds of Camera Obscura come whisking back at you. It is a sound that the band has made their own over the years consisting of reverb guitars and classic drum beats and while Desire Lines may not delve too far into unknown, experimental territories, it does give you a comforting sense of nostalgia and familiarity like that of an old and dear friend.

There are some really outstanding gems on this album. My two favorites so far on the first couple of listens are “Cri du Coeur” and “Fifth in Line to the Throne.” Tracyanne’s lyrics always have a way of tugging at my heart strings and bringing either past or current experiences to a light that I might have never seen. “This is Love (Feels Alright)” and “New Year’s Resolution” have more of the “poppy” sound that is reminiscent of “Let’s Get Out of This Country” and “French Navy.” It’s a perfect well rounded mixture of longing and hope and joy and it seems that with each album, this band just continues to put out their best work.

I’m really hoping for a tour in support of this album. The band was slated to perform at this year’s SXSW Festival, but had to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances. They are currently playing shows in the UK and are doing some shows here in the US, mostly along the west coast and a few shows in the NYC area with She and Him.  Hopefully they come back to Texas so that I can finally experience their beauty in person. I suppose for now, this fantastic new piece of work by the band will just have to suffice. Happy listening!