Between The Trees

Spain

[3/5]

When this Orlando, Florida, group’s resume first landed on our desk in the form of their 2007 debut The Story And The Song, we moved it right to the top of the pile. Their objective: to secure an entry-level position in the vaguely Christian, spiritual pop-rock department headed up by the likes of Switchfoot and Relient K (two groups with whom BTT share more than a few sonic and philosophical similarities). Over the past two years, the young upstarts have turned up early at the office every day, even if it’s only in the form of their earnest sing-along “The Forward” popping into our heads first thing in the morning. And what they may have originally lacked in job experience they readily made up for with enthusiasm and raw talent.


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In the meantime, they’ve been logging long hours, with some 400 dates and three stints on Warped Tour to their credit. A collection of chest-beating inspirational power pop, Spain proves all that hard work has paid off. There’s nothing as immediately accessible here as Story‘s standouts, but the band prove even more adept at laying out wide open, gorgeous panoramas throughout which frontman Ryan Kirkland’s vocal prowess wends and weaves, alternating between a wounded falsetto and a surging power. There’s still a current of positivity at the foundation, which is a nice change of pace, but also makes for some listening confusion. By all rights, music in the emotional pop vein such as this is supposed to crackle with negative energy and heartbreak. Instead, there’s a disconnect here between the overarching sound and lyrical optimism of songs like “Move.” “All I know is nothing can stop us now,” sings Kirkland. Wishful thinking, perhaps, but he’s not too far off the mark. (BONDED) Luke O’Neil

GO DOWNLOAD: “Spain”