Paul Melancon Camera Obscura CD

Paul Melançon plays music. Literate, moody, indie-pop music. Whatever the hell that is.He writes depressing songs that sound upbeat, and upbeat songs that sound depressing. He has been graced with an unusually gifted voice and a knack for writing well-crafted pop songs hiding disturbed and defective characters inside. His tools are the bittersweet melody, lyrical depth, and sardonic wit found in fellow artists such as Michael Penn, Neil Finn and Elvis Costello. When whipped into a frenzy, he can shake and pop like a drunk Nick Lowe.He's released three critically acclaimed CDs: Two solo (Slumberland on M Records and Camera Obscura on Daemon Records) and one with the Arts and Sciences (Hopeful Monsters, also on Daemon). He's toured with the Indigo Girls, played International Pop Overthrow four times (LA, Boston and Atlanta) and SXSW.He feels really strange writing about himself in the third person."A seriously strong, multi-layered pop record... shows that Melancon's ready to play with the big boys." -- Amplifier (Best of 2002)"His is the kind of pop that's not afraid to use more than three chords, and complex ones at that, leaving the listener humming along to a beautiful simple melody... in a category with the most talented of indie-pop singer-songwriters." -- Paste Magazine"Absolutely perfect pop songs... with an architect's attention to detail and a photographer's eye for it." -- Miles of Music Tops of the Pops(4 out of 4 Stars) "In my perfect world, the one where the Cubs and Red Sox are duking it out for the World Series on a near-annual basis and I have a winter place on the coast of Kauai, singers like Paul Melancon would be megastars... a sublime piece of indie pop." -- Bullz-eye(A-) "Melancon can flat out sing, and his erudite arrangements flood the tracks with layered beauty... This bright glimmer of hope in a downward spiralling industry deserves your attention." -- InSite"Well-written, tightly orchestrated pop... Melançon should have absolutely no problem getting screwed over by a major label." -- Splendid

Paul Melancon has managed to pull off something rather extraordinary with the aptly titled Camera Obscura. Indeed, he offers listeners a series of pop music snapshots, each having a unique allusion to something that is not at all obvious to the naked ear. As enjoyable as this record is as background or driving ambience, you really need to listen closely and thoughtfully to get the full scope of Melancon's talent and really understand the twists and turns of his characters and stories. You see, the running theme of this particular work is a fictitious California amusement park and the star-crossed lovers therein. Again, you really need to pay attention here, lest the indelible melodies fool you into thinking there's a happy ending awaiting your arrival. And how "Jeff Lynne" fits into the scheme of things is yours for the figuring. As far as the songwriting goes, Michael Penn and Neil Finn are the closest approximations, just to give you a ballpark reference, though sonically Melancon has something slightly different going on. It's impossible to set the parameters of his sound and work, but it will remind you of something somewhere that was pleasant. Atlanta has had the privilege of enjoying Melancon's previous work. Thank goodness Amy Ray and her Daemon Records saw fit to share this one with everyone else. ~ Kelly McCartney

Personnel: Paul Melancon (vocals, guitar, mandolin, ukulele, piano, mellotron, tambourine, guiro, cowbell); Rog Gal (guitar, baritone guitar, piano, mellotron, background vocals); George Melkonian (strings); Michael Lorant (clarinet, drums); John Cerreta (piano, Wurlitzer piano, Clavinet, organ, synthesizer, vibraphone); Allen Broyles (piano); Linda Bolley, Pete Mcdade, Mike Rizzi (drums); Tim Delaney (upright bass); Robi Lyle (background vocals).