Spain I Believe Genres:Alternative Rock, Jazz, Pop, Rock Hopeless romantics are equally blessed and cursed. They wear their hearts on display, trying to attract a soul mate, praying that same person doesn't extinguish them like a heel on a cigarette, and never giving up on a cha... more »nce to fall in love. Take Spain's Josh Haden, for example. Here's a guy who writes 10 new songs for the band's third album, I Believe, and they're all about love. And not just a "hey, baby, get over here so I can make you a woman" kind of love. We're talking serious "Oh, that feeling/ That was the love/ You've been needing" and "I know/ If we kissed/ Then love/ Would follow" kinds of emotions. The guy is smitten ("You Were Meant for Me"). And brokenhearted ("She Haunts My Dreams"). And smitten again ("I Believe"). He bounces back more times than Elizabeth Taylor, only to get dissed once again. All of these high hopes and heartaches have left Haden a somber man musically, and I Believe is a sparse collection of slow-tempo melodies. His bedroom lullaby vocals add a twist of optimism to the mix, sounding faithful to his pursuits even as the lyrics tell of a crushed man. This quiet, late-night album is one for all the kindred romantics who, like Haden, still believe--even if that means leaving their hearts for the garage man once a week. --Jennifer Maerz« less
Hopeless romantics are equally blessed and cursed. They wear their hearts on display, trying to attract a soul mate, praying that same person doesn't extinguish them like a heel on a cigarette, and never giving up on a chance to fall in love. Take Spain's Josh Haden, for example. Here's a guy who writes 10 new songs for the band's third album, I Believe, and they're all about love. And not just a "hey, baby, get over here so I can make you a woman" kind of love. We're talking serious "Oh, that feeling/ That was the love/ You've been needing" and "I know/ If we kissed/ Then love/ Would follow" kinds of emotions. The guy is smitten ("You Were Meant for Me"). And brokenhearted ("She Haunts My Dreams"). And smitten again ("I Believe"). He bounces back more times than Elizabeth Taylor, only to get dissed once again. All of these high hopes and heartaches have left Haden a somber man musically, and I Believe is a sparse collection of slow-tempo melodies. His bedroom lullaby vocals add a twist of optimism to the mix, sounding faithful to his pursuits even as the lyrics tell of a crushed man. This quiet, late-night album is one for all the kindred romantics who, like Haden, still believe--even if that means leaving their hearts for the garage man once a week. --Jennifer Maerz
"Don't get me wrong. I loved She Haunts My Dreams. In fact, I urge you to buy that record instead of this one and be done with it. If you have She Haunts My Dreams, you don't need this one. There is something to be said for artists who stick to what they do well rather than veering further and further away from their signature sound with every release. However, Spain is marching in place with I Believe. There is nothing new here that differers in sound or subject matter from their previous release. In fact, the lyrics on this CD seem to have all been written in one sitting and are virtually identical song to song (how many songs on this CD really need to start with "Oh girl..."?). It's a nice, mellow record, but a disapointment from a band that seems capable of more."
I just bought this record.
Juan' De Laruso | San Diego | 10/02/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I just bought this and it's great. I think their last record
was one of the best records of the year and I listen to as much obnoxious music as the next guy. I'm expecting to like this one just as much once it sinks in. And the vocals aren't awful.
Awful is out of key. There is only in key and out of key. And Josh's vocals are always in. If you're thinking the vocals are awful then you probably don't realize you've crossed into another genre and just need to retrace your steps with a little more thoughtfulness."
Nice, but puerile.
Ian Johnson | Corvallis, OR United States | 09/06/2001
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I wanted to like it. If they had just mixed the vocals deeper, it would be fine. The lyrics are awful.Still, it's better than 99.9% of the music available."
More of the same goodness
Analog | Planet Earth | 11/02/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I will agree with the reviewers who say that "Blue Moods" is their favorite album, it's mine also. It took me some time to appreciate "She Haunts..." and "I Believe", but after listening to them over and over, slowly the songs would get to me. If you pass over Spain's latter two albums just because they don't sound like "Blue Moods", you're really missing out on a one-of-a-kind band. Josh Haden is one of my favorite vocalists and Spain is in my top five favorite bands of all time. Even though they only released three albums, they didn't make one bad song. I disagree with the reviewer who said "Make Your Body Move" is a cheesy song. It's a great sexually charged song, done in a tasteful way. I think Haden is a very emotional songwriter and even though his lyrics are very simple, they're also very good, and most people will be able to relate to them. I've never thought of them as cheesy. 80's Van Halen=cheesy, not Spain. I love this album, it's very melancholy and soft, and no matter what kind of mood I'm in, I always enjoy a little Spain. Highly recommended, I can't compare Spain to any other bands, they don't sound like anyone else whatsoever. Josh Haden has a new album of his solo stuff available through his website, so check that out also. 5 Stars for an excellent final album."