Crushing On Camera

Scottish band Camera Obscura are best known for their whimsical, sentimental ballads of youthful heartbreak and longing. Their latest album, My Maudlin Career lives up to this reputation, but falls just short of expectations. Being all too similar to their previous album, Let's Get Out of This Country, it leaves fans craving the satisfaction of knowing the lyrics and being able to sing and groove along. Thus, My Maudlin Career requires several replays in order for one to appreciate it for what it is, but in the end its effect is well worth the effort. Songs such as "French Navy," and "The Sweetest Thing," will summon the effusiveness of past summer loves, "Honey In the Sun," will melt the chilliest of dispositions, and the album's namesake, "My Maudlin Career," will make you swoon for C.O. all over again, even if you were convinced you had moved on. If affection really is contagious, I've definitely caught the bug.