Camera Obscura

Since forming in 1996, Glasgow's Camera Obscura has produced '60s radio pop that shines under layers of reverberated guitar, shimmering organ, syrupy strings, and lead singer Tracyanne Campbell's bratty, lithe vocals. My Maudlin Career was one of 2009's most unsurprising triumphs, one that effortlessly blended Phil Spector pop with Belle & Sebastian wistfulness. The group recently proved it's also been influenced by Jersey rock, with a respectful, light cover of the Bruce Springsteen ballad "Tougher Than The Rest," perhaps the first Camera Obscura track destined to become a last dance at prom. 

Updated 03/23/2010