Underachievers Please Try Harder Image
  • Summary: 'Underachievers' is the first U.S. release for the Glasgow, Scotland-based band, who mine some of the same musical territory as fellow Scots Belle & Sebastian (as well as drawing more than a few Nick Drake comparisons).
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 14
  2. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. To completely dismiss Camera Obscura for their willingness to partake in this musical grand theft or K-Tel like attitude toward repackaging former eras of music would be unfair; free of the burden of meliorating an individual sound, they've been able to craft a consistently enjoyable collection of pop songs that inhabit the passion and style of the music they so clearly love.
  2. A shimmering example of wistful chamber folk-pop.
  3. Not emo, exactly -- more like twee-mo.

See all 14 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Negative: 1 out of 7
  1. shygazerE
    10
    Imitation is the best form of flattery stupid! This album is not only the best album of the decade but it's better than anything B&S has ever recorded. Besides every band borrows from their infleunces. Look at the Stooges and Aerosmith with the Rolling Stones or Oasis with the Beatles. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. selenita
    5
    Really looks like Belle & Sebastian 100%
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. JeffA
    1
    This is ridiculous. Just listen to Belle and Sesbastian and Leonard Cohen instead of this weak carbon-copy. Just listen to "Suspended From Class" and it will tell you all you need to know - you'll swear you were listening to a Belle and Sebastian song that didn't make the cut for one of their albums. Apparently these guys can't write a song unless they're imitating someone else. Unfortunately for them, it makes more sense to listen to the original band and not this lame rip-off. Boo! Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

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