Havalina

Item: Space, Love & Bullfighting
Author: Dave Kerschbaum

Space, Love & Bullfighting

(2002)

Reviewed by Dave Kerschbaum

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Label Tooth & Nail RecordsThe Phantom Tollbooth2002

alternative rock garage rock jazz power pop

Teaser: Havalina takes us on yet another field trip: outer space, via Spain and Mexico.

Havalina Rail Company have always been quite good at mixing different musical genres effectively -- often genres that seem to otherwise have nothing to do with each other. On Space Love & Bullfighting, Havalina (they have opted for the shortened name) have not stopped at musical genres, but have woven together three themes that seem to otherwise have nothing in common. Hence the album's title.

This latest offering from Havalina again has the band teaching us a sonic geography lesson. If Russian Lullabies explored the Russian musical landscape and America explored the United States, ...Bullfighting brings us to Spain, Mexico and, well, outer space.

The disc starts with the song "Space and Mexico," an upbeat and offbeat number featuring a Monkees-esque organ from David Maust. This nod to the Monkees and their ilk is something we'll hear several times throughout this disc. Thematically, this tune sets the tone for the rest of the record.

Next is "Losing You," a darker, sparse song which reminds the listener of an earlier Havalina disc, Russian Lullabies.

"Lecia" is also sparse and lonely. This is a tune that draws inspiration from the dog who was sent into space by the Russian space program in 1957 and died four days into its flight. "I sure could use another friend about now," Matt Wignall laments. The listener is reminded of the film, "My Life as a Dog," wherein the narrator compares himself to this unfortunate dog left to starve in outer space.

"Pluto" is a trippy tune with unusual instrumentation and vocal effects to give a space-like atmosphere. This song features a fun, 60's-feel chorus:

"Not quite a planet and not quite steam, Pluto's caught right in between."

The liner notes reference a debate among astronomers over whether Pluto is indeed a planet, or just rocks and gas, and the dissolving of a relationship that has the singer wondering about the substance of said relationship.

If there were a sure single from ...Bullfighting, it would be "You Got Me Crying" which sounds as if it could be an out-take from the America sessions. This memorable tune features an organ complementing Matt Wignall's plaintive voice: "You got me crying over you."

"Rocket Ship," another memorable song from this album, has a definite funky flair. Here, we find Wignall trading vocal lines with Starry Dynamo, aka Mercedes Stevens, in a frenetic fashion.

"If You'd Like..." is the album's homage to 60's heartbreak songs. This tune, like many others on the disc, starts out sparse. Wignall's lonely voice sounds as if he's singing from nowhere. An organ underscores the ache as Wignall croons, "I would like to know if these feelings show. And are you feeling fine? Well, I guess never mind."

The record's centerpiece, "Bullfighter," ties the three themes together as we are told a story of a bullfighter facing a humiliating defeat and crushed pride, as "his wife and children hung their heads. The bullfighter wished he was dead." His loneliness eventually leads the bested matador to his demise.

In the concluding three songs, we are treated to no less than seven or eight musical genres, including tastes of Latin lounge, country and western, an Irish jig, and Spanish guitar.

Space Love & Bullfighting works best if listened to from start to finish, and preferably multiple times. Like most concept albums, there are carefully placed treasures to explore here in the music and lyrics. Although most of us have not seen a bullfight and very few of us have been to space, Havalina relates the stories contained in this record to us by appealing to our senses of love and loneliness.

3.5 tocks