Paul Melancon has managed to pull off something rather extraordinary with the aptly titled Camera Obscura. Indeed, he offers listeners a series of pop music snapshots, each having a unique allusion to something that is not at all obvious to the naked ear. As enjoyable as this record is as background or driving ambience, you really need to listen closely and thoughtfully to get the full scope of Melancon's talent and really understand the twists and turns of his characters and stories. You see, the running theme of this particular work is a fictitious California amusement park and the star-crossed lovers therein. Again, you really need to pay attention here, lest the indelible melodies fool you into thinking there's a happy ending awaiting your arrival. And how "Jeff Lynne" fits into the scheme of things is yours for the figuring. As far as the songwriting goes, Michael Penn and Neil Finn are the closest approximations, just to give you a ballpark reference, though sonically Melancon has something slightly different going on. It's impossible to set the parameters of his sound and work, but it will remind you of something somewhere that was pleasant. Atlanta has had the privilege of enjoying Melancon's previous work. Thank goodness Amy Ray and her Daemon Records saw fit to share this one with everyone else. ~ Kelly McCartney, All Music Guide
Rob Gal (Mellotron), Rob Gal (Producer), Michael Lorant (Drums), John Cerreta (Vibraphone), Paul Melançon (Mellotron), Pete McDade (Drums), Allen Broyles (Piano), John Cerreta (Organ), Paul Melançon (Cowbell), Paul Melançon (Vocals), Paul Melançon (Guitar), Rob Gal (Guitar (Baritone)), Paul Melançon (Melodica), Rob Gal (Vocals), Michael Lorant (Clarinet), Rob Gal (Piano), Tim Delaney (Standup Bass), Paul Melançon (Tambourine), Paul Melançon (Ukulele), Paul Melançon (Guiro), Paul Melançon (Piano), Linda Bolley (Drums), Rob Gal (Bass), Rob Gal (Guitar), John Cerreta (Synthesizer), John Cerreta (Wurlitzer), Paul Melançon (Photography), Paul Melançon (Mandolin), Mike Rizzi (Drums), John Cerreta (Piano), John Cerreta (Clavinet)
Camera Obscura were formed in 1996 by Tracyanne Campbell, John Henderson, and Gavin Dunbar. Several other members performed with the band before David Skirving joined as a permanent guitarist. The band's first releases were the singles "Park and Ride" and "Your Sound" in 1998.[1] The band's line-up changed in 2000 and 2001 when Lee Thompson joined as its permanent drummer, Lindsay Boyd joined as a keyboard player, and Skirving left and was replaced by Kenny McKeeve.[2][1]
Camera Obscura's first album, Biggest Bluest Hi Fi, was released in 2001. The album was produced by Stuart Murdoch from the band Belle & Sebastian and was supported by John Peel.[2] The first single from the album, "Eighties Fan", came in at number 7 in the Festive Fifty in 2001,[3] and charted in several independent music charts. Nigel Baile joined the band as a trumpeter and percussionist in 2002[2] and Carey Lander replaced Boyd. In the summer of 2002, Peel asked the band to do their first Peel session.[1]
The band's second album, Underachievers Please Try Harder, was released in 2003 and was followed by Camera Obscura's first full tour of Britain and Ireland and the band's first tour of the United States. Founding member John Henderson left Camera Obscura following this tour.[4] In early 2004 the band recorded the songs "I Love My Jean" and "Red, Red Rose" following their third Peel session, in which Peel had asked them to put these poems by Robert Burns to music.[2]
In November 2008, the band announced that they had completed recording the follow-up to Let's Get Out of This Country, and in February 2009, they announced that they had signed to 4AD.[6] The new album, My Maudlin Career, was released in April 2009, and preceded by the first single "French Navy". Around this time, the band announced that "due to family commitments (including being a proud dad) Nigel will no longer be a full time member of Camera Obscura. But watch out for him popping up at live appearances from time to time."[7]
