With their single “She is Love” providing the backtrack for a nationwide Nivea campaign, Parachute is set to release their debut album Losing Sleep on May 19th. Arizona based indie rock band Lydia are now well into promoting their second album Illuminate and will be headlining their own tour for the first time this year. Matt Wertz is a singer/songwriter who resides in Nashville, TN. His songs have been featured on the TV show Brothers and Sisters and in the movie Employee of the Month. Wild Light first gained momentum when they opened for Arcade Fire. They released their debut album Adult Nights this past March. An indie pop band from Glasgow, Camera Obscura’s fourth LP My Maudlin Career came out just this month.

Camera Obscura

“French Navy”

Oh thank goodness, Camera Obscura is here to save us all. This group delves into the more interesting side of love: heartbreak! And with a very coherently themed video! As Tracyanne Campbell sings, we watch the couple’s trip across Europe and we’re already forming their story in our minds while she is letting us know it inevitably ends. Admit it. She is crooning, “I wanted to control it” and you know exactly how she feels. Musically speaking, this sound is so much richer and so much more varied than anything else we’re hearing on the Freshmen this week. I know I am favoring one video very heavily against the others and I’m sure I’ll get a wanna-be indie chick comment or two in the section below, so just let me tell you’re right and we’ll all move on.

Lydia

“I Woke Up Near The Sea”

Lots of love songs on the Freshmen this week. I think that Lydia is trying to pull off an Alice in Wonderland-like theme here (white rabbit at the beginning) but I don’t think it really comes across quite successfully. It’s a bit bizarre in its own way but there are not enough references for the video to be that cohesive. It’s just sort of confusing. And then there is maybe some kind of Garden of Eden type imagery with that apple… okay seriously. What is going on here?!

Parachute

“She Is Love”

This is a sweet love song. The video or lyrics are nothing particular original but it’s touching in its own way. It’s good for proms and other assorted high school dances. I like how it starts off with the band playing in a garage so we seem to get an idea of how they began, but like I said. It’s not strikingly unique. There’s just not much I can say about it.

Matt Wertz

“Everything’s Right”

Love Fest 2009 continues. Wertz has an appealing voice, it’s comfortable and relaxing but again. There’s nothing terribly original here. The song is mostly chorus. It doesn’t have a strong bridge. If you’re trying to “set the mood” it might be helpful though. Unfortunately, the video looks like a camera commercial.

Wild Light

“California on My Mind”

So this is the anti-love song then?! HA. This is great. It’s a pop song done right. It’s catchy with enough expletives to make it the right-side of clever, the harmonica saves it from being to overtly formulaic, and the Marilyn Monroe clone is a nice touch. I was sort of hoping the band would not come into the picture. I admire when a band can forego an appearance in the video. That’s a pretty brave move, but I also understand why it’s not necessarily the best of ideas. It’s a video FOR THE BAND. Apparently it’s important to actually see them. Also, digging the black and white. It’s very simplistic, there’s not lot a fuss or frills. A nice, “And here is our video” which can be refreshing and is much needed in this week’s round.

As far as my pick this week goes, no one need ask. Camera Obscura is far and away my choice here. But I look forward to hearing from all of you. Sway my opinion. Dare you!