A Round of Sound

#8) The xx – xx [Young Turks; released 8/16/2009]

“I can’t give it up to someone else’s touch, because I care too much”

“Infinity”

The sparse cover art for the debut album from The xx speaks volumes for the 11 songs contained within.  It’s simple, to the point, and says no more than what is needed, which appropriately captures what this South London quartet have been able accomplish on this year’s best debut album. Released with loads of hype from the blogosphere as well as the British media, xx has captivated and intrigued listeners with its sexy melodies while employing minimal instrumentation to create an atmosphere so stunning it’s hard to believe this is a group made up of four 20 year olds. Alternating guy/girl vocals rise to forefront on these tunes which are essentially love songs, eerie as they may be, and while the lyrics aren’t as accomplished as the music and can come across as cheezy, the vocals somehow hide that and make it seem real.  Riding on the strength of their own confidence, there’s no telling what comes next from this group considering most bands might take multiple releases trying to master the sound that The xx seems to do almost effortlessly.

[“Crystalised” – xx]

#7) Camera Obscura – My Maudlin Career [4AD; released 4/20/2009]

“This maudlin career has come to an end, I don’t want to be sad again.”

“My Maudlin Career”

Overflowing with sentimentality and emotion, My Maudlin Career is perhaps the most appropriately titled album of the year.  Tracyanne Campbell’s vocals are as melancholy as ever and pack a vulnerability to go along with her ballads of lost love.  However, paired with some of the most lush songs the group has ever produced and complete with their usual sweet catchy melodies, My Maudlin Career is Camera Obscura’s most endearing work to date. Camera Obscura’s existence to this point has always been tied to fellow indie-pop Scotsmen Belle & Sebastian, but Camera Obscura’s 2006 masterpiece Let’s Get Out of the Country helped the group escape from B&S’s shadow and My Maudlin Career only further sets them apart.  String arrangements absolutely dominate this album, and the songs are better for it.  Openers “French Navy” and “The Sweetest Thing” each show off the strings in exploding choruses, while a song like “Careless Love” is complimented throughout by the orchestration before a final beautiful climax to close out the song.  But when it comes down to it,  My Maudlin Career succeeds by conveying sadness without being overly gloomy.  It’s both a heartbreaking and uplifting listen and Camera Obscura pulls it off seamlessly.

[“French Navy” – My Maudlin Career]