Customer Reviews

Camera Obscura

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Boy Loses Girl.

Wait, isn't there something missing there?

In the case of Camera Obscura, the answer is no: Boy Loses Girl, Boy Pines For Girl, Boy Wallows Himself Into Oblivion. Such would be the bare-bones plot of this, Paul Melançon's second solo release. The story is not, however, forced upon the listener like a Broadway musical or a late Styx album, but is more a suggestion of theme, a way of drawing together ten wide-ranging songs into a fluid power-pop discovery.

Melançon, an Atlanta native, was recently picked up by Amy Ray's pet indie label Daemon Records (and he just finished a short tour of Florida opening for the Indigo Girls). And though this reviewer is a longtime fan of the Girls and several Daemon artists, I honestly must say that this album is the first Daemon offering that has the power and beauty to blow it wide open for the label, moreso even than Ray's solo release, Stag.

Melançon has the following things going for him: a heartbreakingly sweet tenor; a self-professed knack for finding nifty chord changes; an obsession with emotionally damaged characters; and a wry sense of humor. He is a gifted songsmith, but not a hit factory. His songs aren't "radio-friendly" in any traditional sense, but they're intelligent, well-produced, and catchy as hell.

The varied song-styles represented here don't borrow delicately; they practically bust down the door of sheer pastiche. "Little Plum" owes much to either Don Ho or Tin Pan Alley; "Entr'acte" is a lilting bossanova made strange with theremin; "Jeff Lynne", one of Melançon's strokes of songwriting genius, goes so far as to borrow a riff from the ELO song "Living Thing", and is lacking only the characteristic orchestral string section to be dubbed a lost Lynne production.

It wouldn't be fair to say that Melançon has conquered the dreaded sophomore curse, as his first album, Slumberland, was only EP length, and though it floated a lovesick story-arc like Camera Obscura does, those six songs (plus a McCartney cover) didn't come close to spanning the musical and emotional breadth of the more recent release. However, if in producing any future work he takes half as much care as he has with Camera Obscura, he has nothing to worry about.

Frankly, I can't quit listening to this album. The CD player in my car automatically loops discs, and while I'm riding the hand-clapping emotional tide of Melançon's cover of "You're So Good To Me" (which sounds as much Phil Spector as it does Brian Wilson), I am caught all over again by the endlessly singable "Overture" ... and so this bittersweet pop opus gets another spin in my stereo.

Yup, these guys kick! Saw them open for the Indigo Girls and they stole the show! Well, they definately added to it at least ;). I can't even pick a favorite song; I love them all! You really need to listen to this album if you haven't already. I'm looking forward to seeing these guys live again, and am waiting for the radio stations in town to play their music.

With Paul Melancon's new release "Hopeful Monsters" as part of his band "The Arts & Sciences" now out, it's a good moment to go back and review just what an outstanding recording "Camera Obscura" is. My favorite happens to be the one track written by Rob Gal & John Cerreta, "Entr'acte." Its shimmering samba rhythm is a delectable tropical treat, "There you shine a lantern in my mind; show yourself at twilight, please, Like a face I want to see, reveal yourself to me." The other jewel that makes me hit repeat is "Jeff Lynne" that cops some of the Electric Light Orchestra's Beatlesque harmonic arrangements and juxtaposes it with a lyrical edge, "She's on the next flight; she calls to say she doesn't need to run away, but though there's a chance at the airport gate, well, I can just see it's already too late." The opener "Overture" is also an addictive hook-laden track with a classic pop chorus. "Something lurks within her fragrance & her smile; She's no idiot & she's known it for awhile," Paul sings on the tight little tune "Hitchcock Blonde." The CD concludes with an odd choice: "You're So Good to Me" by the Beach Boys was an instrumental released in 1968 on the LP "Stack O Tracks." Here, Melancon adds the lyrics and does a driving surfer version of the tune. "Camera Obscura" is a deep and replete set whose arrangements, strong vocals and songwriting make for an excellent CD. Enjoy!

Paul's music reminds me a lot of Crowded House and Michael Penn - not every song would be a hit, but damn, you sure wish radio stations would play all the songs on the album. Catchy tunes, great instrumentation, and intelligent (and intelligible) lyrics make for a tasty, tidy package.

this album is breathtaking, inspiring, and heartfelt in the truest sense. I hear the neil finn and michael penn, though no one mentions the jellyfish sound as well. They must of been just mining that same great source of pure pop. I can't believe how well every song on this plays out. the album just kicks down the door and doesn't let up, real magic. I can't wait to hear slumberland as the reviews for that were great as well. Thank god he made the music he did, would like to know what he's up to now. this is a must own for power pop and pure pop fans, it is music you can't believe you lived without.