Luna, Romantica (Jetset) 9
Over the past decade Luna has established itself as a reliable yet unchanging source of Velvets-influenced guitar pop, a formula Dean Wareham perfected after leaving the influential Galaxy 500. When a Guns 'n' Roses cover ("Sweet Child O' Mine") was the most vital cut on 1999's The Days Of Our Nights, it was a sign that they were flirting with a rut. Romantica, however, brings them back recharged, blooming with flowers, new love and producer Dave Fridmann (Flaming Lips, Mercury Rev), who helps them fill out their normally flat sounds, especially on the majestic "Black Champagne". The tempos have picked up, and occasionally they even rock ("1995"). These aren't your average indie-rock love songs with the shy geek singer-songwriter struggling to convey any sort of passion. Wareham is downright twitterpated -- he's boinging about with exploding pink hearts around his head. Hell yeah it's spring. Who can blame him, crooning duets inches from silky-voiced Britta Phillips in "Mermaid Eyes." Aroo. If only the remaining songs could match that kind of sensuality. Romantica is by far Luna's best collection since 1995's Penthouse, while not quite at the level of Mercury Rev. I would steer newcomers to their first few albums, while diehard fans should be pleasantly surprised by Luna's energy boost.
