Lunapark --- Luna

There are a few important points about Luna that I should establish before I review this CD. First off, Luna have gotten progressively better with each record. By the end of "Pup Tent", their last domestically released LP, you think to yourself "what a fucking great band".

Lunapark was their first record CD, and I listened to it knowing that they only got better. By the end of it I found myself taking solace in that knowledge. With one extremely notable exception, the songs are either "pretty good" or "bad".

The extremely notable exception is a song called "Slash Your Tires", possibly one of the best songs I've ever heard. It's the direct sequel to Galaxie 500's "Fourth Of July", which also happens to be one of the best songs I've ever heard. Right down to the chord progressions.

If you haven't heard "Slash Your Tires", that alone is worth $16. I can't tell you how perfect this song is. Hear it anyway you can. Ideally, find a friend with the record. Give this friend a blank tape and have them dub "Slide" (which contains two immortal lines --- "You can't give the finger to the blind" and "SoHo's got the boots/NoHo's got the crack/New England's got the foliage but I'm not comin' back"), "Slash YOur Tires", "Time", "Smile", "I Can't Wait", "Time To Quit" and "We're Both Confused".

Luna are a GREAT band now, but boy these early days must prove to be embarrassing, especially considering the Mercury Rev/Flaming Lips "Wall Of Skronk" they've been on a steady course towards. New Luna comes on 10/22 by the way. THey got dropped by Elektra after the record was already released overseas. Heard great things about it, though. (Elektra)

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Mike Keegan
9.6.1999

http://www.klink.net/~tatara/DFFQI.html