Artist: Barcelona

Album: Absolutes

Label: Motown Records

Every once in a while there comes a band that produces an original, amazing work of music, then slips away and disappears completely. Barcelona is one of those bands.

Though their signature album, Absolutes, has been out for a while now, it remains one of the well-kept secrets in hipster mainstream. The album is nothing flashy, and its music would probably sound out of place coming off the radio, but Absolutes has a simple charm that sets in a league apart from today's brand-name artists, and rewards those who take the time to listen.           

While singing about love and loss is standard practice in the world of music, Barcelona takes a new approach to the concept by turning their album into a journey through the highs and lows of a relationship, beginning with the lonely lyrics of their opening song, "Falling Out of Trees".              

The album then leaps forward with a cache of songs that cross the emotional spectrum and hit everything from the feelings of puppy love to pure spite. "Colors" treats its listeners to an upbeat, poetic anthem about the joys of new love, while "Takers" explores the darker, possessive nature a relationship can acquire.  

Other songs that are sure to catch some listeners include "It's About Time", which takes on the nervous energy of two people risking it all for love, and the slow, mournful "Get Up" seems destined to find its way onto ipod playlists with names like "Sad" or "Depressing Day".  

But the crown jewel of Absolutes would have to be its closing track, "Please Don't Go". The song is breathtaking, opening with a gentle piano solo, carried by soulful lyrics, and accentuated by some impressive talent on violins. It accomplishes the difficult task of being tragic, but beautiful, and there are few albums today that could match such a powerful finale.            

If you enjoy the rhythm of Coldplay, the vocals of The Fray, or simply love "discovering" bands, Absolutes will be a welcome addition to your collection. Though the album may require some digging to find, the best things don't come easily, and Barcelona's Absolutes is well worth the effort.

*This article first published 8/31/2011