Luna
Pup Tent

(Elektra)

First Appeared at The Music Box, August 1998, Volume 5, #8

Written by John Metzger

Despite the loss of drummer Stanley Demeski, Luna has not really changed all that much. That's alright.  The group seems to surf on the fringe of popularity, and for whatever reason it never quite received a thrust into the limelight, despite Rolling Stone calling it "the best band you've never heard of." Instead, Luna keeps delivering outstanding albums, and it keeps touring the country much to the delight of its cult following.

For the record, Pup Tent doesn't stray far from Luna's past efforts. It still combines the sound of Lou Reed and The Velvet Underground with more modern-day successors like The Feelies and The Stone Roses. The biggest change on Pup Tent is that the Stone Roses tripped-out sound has been cranked to the forefront of each tune.

Singer Dean Wareham's voice adds a drugged-out, dream-filled quality to each of the songs as the twin guitars of Wareham and Sean Eden swirl endlessly around the melody, occasionally crashing into it like a giant tidal wave. Justin Harwood adds a bubbly bass line to the tracks, and newcomer Lee Wall locks each song into a solid groove with his solid drum and percussion work. Together, they form a sonic assault of mind-altering, intoxicating music.

Luna's songs are amazingly infectious so much so that it's hard to believe that the group isn't really receiving much radio play. One listen to this disc, and the melodies of songs like the title track, Bobby Peru, Tracy I Love You, and City Kitty are immediately gripping. The rest will follow soon thereafter. For those who have yet to become acquainted with Luna, now is the time to lend the band an ear.

Ratings

1 Star: Pitiful
2 Stars: Listenable
3 Stars: Respectable
4 Stars: Excellent
5 Stars: Can't Live Without It!!

Copyright © 1998 The Music Box