|
Track
Listing:
01. Lovedust
02. Weird and Woozy
03. Black Postcards
04. Black Champagne
05. Swedish Fish
06. Renee Is Crying
07. Mermaid Eyes
08. 1995
09. Rememories
10. Dizzy
11. Orange Peel
12. Romantica
|
CMJ New Music
Report, Apr 22, 2002
Luna treats
the electric guitar like a magic wand. When Dean Wareham and Sean
Eden strum and pick, hypnotic sounds emanate, creating a world of
forever dusk. Romantica wraps you up in a comfortable cocoon of
dream pop, psychedelic swirls and witty lyricism. After playing
record-label bingo, Luna has softly landed with Jet Set, crafting
an album to stand beside the mastery of Penthouse and the timelessness
of Wareham's previous band, Galaxie 500. Lest you think that the
band's seventh album signals a rut, factor in enchanting new bass
player Britta Phillips (pop culture footnote: Britta played the
punky guitarist in the 1988 movie Satisfaction as well as being
the voice of cartoon pop diva Jem). This is her first studio album,
and her playful bass work and lush vocals add a new aura to Luna.
Recorded on a smaller budget than the band's major-label offerings,
this album has a raw and immediate feel. The wizardry of Dave Fridman's
(Mercury Rev, Flaming Lips) mix also keeps the album from being
just another Luna record. The duet "Mermaid Eyes" is gorgeous, with
synthesized orchestration and '60s French-pop spookiness. Whether
it's the fuzzed-out glam rocker "1995" or the slinky groove of "Dizzy"(which
brilliantly lifts from Van Halen's "Jump"), Romantica casts 12 spells
that bewitch.
- Chris Larry:
CMJ New Music Report Issue: 759
|
