Customer Reviews

Close Cover Before Striking

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

The EP "Close Cover Before Striking" is Luna's best recorded work in quite a number of years. The band's last few studio releases have seemed at times to suffer from apparent fatigue, but this time out they've come up with a batch of winners augmented by a killer cover of The Rolling Stones's "Waiting on a Friend." And if Dean Wareham will never be mistaken for Mick Jagger as a singer, well, with Luna the vocals hardly the point. The warm, lush Velvet Underground-like arrangement makes the song sound like a Luna original.

Perhaps inspired by this performance, Wareham and company sound fully engaged for the rest of the album. It's hard to pick favorites because the best Luna material is all about establishing an album's length mood, but other standout cuts include "Teenage Lightning," the instrumental "Drunken Whistler" (and some of the band's best ever guitar work) and "Neon Lights." Unlike other recent Luna works, however, it is a pleasure to report that there's not a clunker in the mix. In this the EP's breveity could also be considered its strongest virtue.

Overall, an excellent surprise EP release from a durable alternative rock band.

After releasing a descent record in April of 2002, Luna return with the near flawless "Close Cover Before Striking". The L.P. is the perfect soundtrack for a lonley rainy night, when images of old loves and regrets flow in and out of the mind. "Teenage Lightning" stands out as the L.P.'s best track. The covers are both as flawless as the originals were. However, with Luna, the songs are just an excuse to show off the guitars. They flow in and out of each other like trained acrobats on a high wire act. Dean's lyrics are often funny, and touching, yet very very effective. He finds the quirky language that runs through our minds. Finally a L.P. that is worhty enough to stand next to their albulm "Penthouse"

after watching the 'tell me do you miss me' dvd of luna's brilliant farewell closing, i was yearning for yet another fix. i found it with 'close cover before striking'. dreamy version of 'waiting on a friend' by the rolling stones, then songs 4 through 7 sends the listener into a dream-like catatonic state of audible bliss. this brief cd showcases in 7 songs the luna legacy that will be deeply missed.

I was disappointed with Romantica but this ep is great and makes up for that rather lackluster longplayer. If you haven't heard Luna before, they've got a unique slightly trippy sound that can really hook you in.

I had to edit my own title , because I get so excited every time a new Luna CD comes out. This EP is fantastic. I will always be a fan of these guys. They write the best honest-funny-ironic-weary songs around. Luna has that sound that I love, a guitar band that doesn't bludgeon you with them. The guitar work here is cohesive as always. Solos tasteful, melodic always. Songwriting is A plus as usual. The Stones cover is really languid and cool. The instrumental is good too. This EP sounds like they made it in a loft late at night jamming after hours. Make sure you catch these guys live sometime. All hail , Luna!

Now, this is a really nice CD. Must be listened to with a nice pair of headphones. Once you do that you will understand why I believe that this CD is truly a gift to the senses. Its lyrics are subtle while cynic. Its sound is minimalist while not simple. I think that the word that best describes this CD is roomy -it allows you to breath in it-. Definitely not for the hypersaturated pop airheads unless they're really trying to make a change. This one is for people that loves to have their Sunday morning coffee -or tea- hot and strong and having a good relax session with a nice pair of socks on. So, if you need that kind of music for your Sunday mornings, grab this one. Give it a chance. It is worth it. So, check this out. Enjoy.

A fantastic ep. You'll be forever snared by it after a few listens. Track one hooks you in from the get go. A great record.

Listened to it once and it reminded me of their earlier stuff. Sweet, laid back and harmonious. Good'ol Luna sound.

Just a masterfully done ep/lp. Bands that progress and better themselves are rare enough it seems. And those who can do so for 11 years and counting are an even rarer bird. Gobs of props to LUNA for putting out this small but superlative effort. You need it.

In some ways, this EP is better than Romantica, which was released in April. Luna gets away from the contrived pop sound and returns to what it does best: grooving and jamming. The cd simply sounds beautifully produced. The Stones cover rocks. Buy it and see the band live.