In 1992, Dean Wareham followed the posthumous buzz of Galaxie 500 by forming a new band: Luna. Initially joined by Justin Harwood (of the Chills) and Stanley Demeski (of the Feelies), the group went on to sign to Elektra Records, tour with the Velvet Underground, collaborate with Tom Verlaine and Sterling Morrison and ultimately release five stunning albums over the course of the 90’s.
Deemed “the best band you’ve never heard of” by Rolling Stone, Luna remained under the radar for most of their career despite gathering a rabid cult following. It’s not hard to see why this is the case, as the three albums featuring the original lineup (plus guitarist Sean Eden on the latter two) act as a perfect synthesis of the members past bands, blending the simplicity of Galaxie, the heavenly pop melodies of the Chills and the quick and intensely precise drumming of the Feelies into one fluid package.
This box set gathers together those five albums from the 90’s, Lunapark (1992), Bewitched (1994), Penthouse (1995), Pup Tent (1997), and The Days of Our Nights (1999), a collection which in total would ultimately cost $400+ on the open market. Exclusive to the box set is a sixth LP entitled Rarities, a compilation of demos and B-sides recorded contemporaneously. Accompanying the records is a 12×12 book featuring archival imagery, an interview with Dean Wareham conducted by Noah Baumbach and an oral history with the band and their producers, all housed in a beautiful textured canvas box. As the majority of these records were never released on vinyl outside of limited pressings, this is a boon to longtime fans and new listeners alike.
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