*** Spain

SHE HAUNTS MY DREAMS

(Restless)

This trio's second album of songs for star-crossed lovers is definitive mope rock -- tortoise-paced with burdened-shouldered singing and lyrics along the lines of "I couldn't leave her if I tried/For I have touched her deep inside/Why can't these people understand/Why I am so sad, so sad." But singer/songwriter/bassist Josh Hayden (son of jazzman Charlie) isn't just another hopeless romantic. The beauty of Spain is, in fact, that Hayden's breathy, labile vocals often give voice to hope and extol the joy of human connection. Even if his lovers are star-crossed, they at least understand what it's like to love. Sparkling glimmers of hope and faith also come in the unhurried piano-and-guitar melodies that occasionally shimmer into the mix. I can't imagine Spain's bittersweet molasses delivery is terribly exciting live, but some music is meant to be heard alone -- or maybe with just one other person.

-- Ted Drozdowski