There was a time, not so long ago, when the e.p. was no longer considered a marketable commodity in the music industry. the pregnant cd single was the de facto replacement, with perhaps an extra song not included on the album that the single originated on (on perhaps NOT), and maybe a few remixes grabbed from somebody somewhere, and a radio edit.
Luna, the masters of chiming guitar and haunting vocal, have returned with an unexpected surprise as they spend october playing venues from Germany to Ireland. close cover before striking is an e.p. of music in addition to the full length romantica, released on jetset records this past april. Lunaholics everywhere are sure to greet this as welcome news, for this is no promotional excuse of a release intended to squeeze a few extra dollars from the diehards. Instead, one gets seven brand new tracks.
'i want to plug you in, I want to get you things' sings Dean Wareham in his trademark soft and sincere tones on the album's opening track, the upbeat 'Astronaut'. This is direct guitar pop, bouncy and straight out of a time when all the guitar bands owned chorus pedals and no-one had heard smells like teen spirit yet. Next up is 'Waiting on a Friend', which sounds just like Luna and reminds me that the Rolling Stones did make good music after 1973. The band should be thanked for that alone. 'Drunken Whistler', an instrumental over a bon tempi groove, jacks up the western quotient just a bit, which later resurfaces on 'new haven comet', a subdued waltz which somehow still conveys the sensation of clocks moving too fast and hearts beating a-haywire, and is sort of a distant second cousin to 'Swedish Fish' from romantica.
'Close Cover Before Striking' shows Luna in a more spontaneous groove than we've experienced on th recent full lengths, and some may even appreciate this less labored approach over the more orchestrated feel of 'Romantica.' Either way , it's a strong listen on its own, and rises above mere companion status.
Extra bonuses include videos to 'Lovedust' and '1995' (from Romantica) and, supposedly, a free matchbook that didn't seem to find it's way to me. I'm sure it's a collector's item by now.
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