Camera Obscura at the Bottleneck

​Camera Obscura took the stage Wednesday night

before an enthusiastic and seemingly epic crowd that stretched

beneath the Bottleneck’s low ceilings to the pool tables near the

bar’s end. For those unfamiliar,

the band defies that forlorn moodiness which seems to typify so many

other Glaswegian acts in favor of a more jangly, Belle & Sebastian-like approach

(another Glasgow act).  Despite an upbeat sound, Camera Obscura’s songs are drenched in lovelorn romance, so often concerning that

unnamed second-person, “you.”

The band jumped immediately into their newest album’s

titular track “My Maudlin Career,” a dreamy number powered by lead singer

Tracyanne’s woozy voice and complemented by Carey’s piano riffs that floated

over spritely drumming.  Camera

Obscura, though so often waxing romantic, does so slyly. The sarcasm is evident in her admitting

to hurting an ex’s feelings, but yeah, they were worth protecting.