Nuggets

"Here's what Penthouse sounds like -- it sounds like languid, six foot tall women reaching across a glass topped table for their one cigarette a month. It sounds like lipstick traces on your cheek alone in a warm taxicab and the first snowflakes just getting flicked away by the windshield wipers. It sounds like one single light still softly on at 3 AM in the windows of an otherwise all dark building across Fifth Avenue from Central Park; awful things happening there perhaps, but you're pretty sure not. It's music that defines all those times you can't quite figure out what's going on, or where it may be headed, but God do you love it as it's happening."

These words were written by a reviewer named James Carragher about this record, Penthouse, by Luna.

I should stop right here because that pretty much sums up the record, but I am not going to do that because I have a few things to say about this record myself.

First, Lost In Space is my favorite Luna song of all time and that is saying something.

Second, Dean Wareham is one of my top ten favorite guitar players and that is saying something too.  His solo on 23 Minutes In Brussels on this record sounds like Jerry Garcia and he never sounds like Jerry Garcia.

And finally, I miss this band so much.  They made great music and Penthouse is their masterpiece.

Comments

[jackson]

Hmmmmm. I've listened to that record a good bit, and I've never felt any of those notions. When I hear Luna - any Luna, it sounds to me like a very depressed guy working it out on a Gibson guitar with a Fender amp. What I love about Luna is the closeness to that enviroment, I feel I'm in the room with Dean as he puts himself through sonic therapy.

[Chrispy]

I'll agree that, as a record, this is Luna's most cohesive and well realized piece. The tones on this record are unreal. The songs and the playing are amazing.

I miss this band a whole lot as well. They were one of the first New York bands I really got into when I moved here (almost 11 years ago) - and when I say got into, I mean REALLY got into. Jackson can testify to that. We've covered 23 Minutes and a lot more. Dean Wareham has always been a hero; when I was really learning guitar the Luna and Galaxie 500 records were hugely inspiration.

This record also features Tom Verlaine (Television) on a few tracks, including 23 Minutes in Brussels. He actually may be playing some of that guitar solo... the breakdown and buildup in that song kills me every time.

For those who are interested, Dean's sound is a Gibson Les Paul through either a Vox or a Matchless amp (pure tube). Sean Eden, guitarist (responsible for lots of the crazy tones and playing on this and other Luna records) is mostly a Fender Jazzmaster (or Jaguar?) through a Matchless combo, at least live. Autowah is a big part of their sound, as is tremolo.

Fred, have you checked out the new Dean Wareham/Britta Phillips record? It continues where Luna left off, somewhat. Really good stuff and essential if you miss Dean and co.

[Greg]

I love Luna and dug Galaxy 500 even more. A Luna movie's coming out soon and this MySpace page show's Dean in the studio recently so maybe some more music to look forward to.

http://www.myspace.com/deanandbritta

[Charlie Crystle]

Fred, your avatar is freaking me out...

[Derek Scruggs]

This is a great, great album, and I agree that Lost in Space is the best of Luna.

Last year I read an interview with Dean Wareham in which he said he's never made more than something like $40k annually playing with Luna. And he lives in NY, so 40k is not far from minimum wage. That's part of the reason they broke up. It's a shame that such a great band with such a loyal following can't make a decent living at it.

[jackson]

Luna's following may have been loyal, but it was/is none too large. Maybe bettet managment would have helped, of course a hit song could have done the trick.....I think 'Lovedust' could have been a bigger hit in the hands of savvy minded people. Mostly their stuff is too 'sleepy' for radio.

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