Spain

The Soul of Spain (Diamond Soul)

Los Angeles quintet Spain found its biggest audience in Europe, so stateside audiences can be forgiven for not noticing the group’s death and resurrection. A shame, that, since The Soul of Spain finds their moody 3am rock sounding stronger than in its Nineties heyday. An unabashed romantic, bassist/bandleader Josh Haden (son of jazz titan Charlie Haden) lets the understatement of his melodies and smoky croon carry lovelorn ditties like “Without a Sound,” “I Love You,” and “Falling.” Guitarist Daniel Brummel adds lush colors, his tasteful licks and sonorous solos calling almost no attention to themselves. Even when the band adds some muscle to “Miracle Man” and “Because Your Love,” the tracks still simmer rather than boil. Placing its collective heart on its sleeve without fanfare, Spain drains the melodrama from emo to make love beautiful again. (1am, Brass House)

***.5

This article appears in March 15 • 2013.

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Michael Toland started writing about music in 1988 on the Gulf Coast, moved to Austin in early 1991, and has inflicted bylines upon the corporeal and digital pages of Pop Culture Press, The Big Takeover, Blurt, Amplifier, Austin.citysearch, the Austin American Statesman, Goldmine, Sleazegrinder, Rock & Roll Globe, High Bias, FHT Music Notes, and, since 2011, The Austin Chronicle.