Romantica

by

Luna

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I should preface my review by noting that I have been totally enamored with Luna since I saw the Slash Your Tires video very late at night on MTV in 1992 - they could cover a Barry Manilow album and I would give it 4 stars.

That being said, Romantica is simply beautiful. As good as their finest - 1997's Penthouse? I'm not sure that one is better than the other. Romantica's songs, with a few exceptions, are simpler, lighter, more infectious and perhaps more accessible than previous Luna offerings. They've stripped away a few layers without losing their celestial sound and the result is pop perfection on songs like Lovedust, Renee is Crying, Mermaid Eyes and Black Postcards. 1995 rocks out like no Luna song has done before. Britta Phillips is a welcome addition and complements Dean's voice well, and Dean finally sounds completely comfortable with his unique voice. The clever, wry and sometimes goofy lyrics (I could look at your face for oodles and oodles) and virtuoso guitars are still there, but there's a sentimentality and tenderness that was previously absent (although I never realized it was missing). It's good to know the best band around still has a few aces up their sleeve. Buy it and enjoy!

No, Luna will never be The Velvet Underground. For one thing, they wear their influences too lightly to really sound like the Velvets (or anybody else). Which doesn't mean they aren't capable of greatness, as their 1995 release "Penthouse" effortlessly demonstrated. "Romantica" is similarly well-crafted, with whimsical lyric touches that still make me smile after repeated spins. New bass player/singer Britta Phillips adds a pragmatic counterpoint to her duets with Dean Wearham that perfectly balances his goofy romanticism. And the guitar work is, as always, without peer in alt rock.

If it sounds like I like this record, I DO! The problem is that I can't quite love it. For one thing, it sounds exhausted at times (try "Rememories," which is lovely but sooo sloooow). And just when you expect the guitars to soar--as on the luminous "Black Champagne" (my fave cut)--somebody hits the fader! In fact, all through the disc you can hear Luna chaffing against what must have been a pretty tight recording schedule.

If you're a Luna fan, you already own "Romantica." If you're just discovering them, start with "Penthouse," but buy this one, too. Hopefully, they'll sell enough copies of both to finance more recording time on the next album! Could be a great one.