The Blue Moods of Spain
# The Blue Moods of Spain

The Blue Moods of Spain is the debut studio album by American rock band Spain, released on September 8, 1995, on Restless Records.

"Spiritual" was later recorded by Johnny Cash for his album American II: Unchained.

## Release

The tracks "I Lied" and "Dreaming of Love" were released as 7-inch singles. Additionally, a music video was produced for "Untitled #1".

## Reception

Professional ratings :

| Review scores ||
| - | - |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| Entertainment Weekly | B+ |
| NME | 8/10 |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | |

In a contemporary review, Melody Maker praised The Blue Moods of Spain as "the most gorgeous music you'll hear all year", describing Spain as "quiet masters of atmosphere, subtle craftsmen who weave a sumptuous, melodic spell with the lightest of instrumental touches". NME noted "a rich, glorious warmth to their songs that combines the melodic simplicity of... The Velvet Underground... the metronomic precision of Spiritualized... and the heartbroken sentiment of the Tindersticks." Richie Unterberger of AllMusic was more reserved in his praise and felt that Spain succeed at evoking "a brooding, late-night atmosphere" with "seductive drones... and melancholy, pensive songs", while adding that the album is "a bit monotonous all at once" and would have benefited from a more expressive vocalist.

In 2004's The New Rolling Stone Album Guide, critic Allison Stewart wrote that The Blue Moods of Spain "made up in style what it lacked in musical variation." In 2012, Kitty Empire of The Observer described the album as "a gem of opiated heartbreak".

## Track listing

All tracks are written by Josh Haden.

## Personnel

Credits adapted from liner notes for The Blue Moods of Spain.

