Penthouse
"Heading for Tacoma / And driving too fast / Nixon's in a coma / And I hope it's gonna last," sings Dean Wareham on "Rhythm King," one ofPenthouse's more cheerful tracks. Clearly, fans ofLloyd ColeandTelevision's Tom Verlaine can take heart:Galaxie 500main man Wareham captures the wry and reflective spirit of both artists on this third album from his band Luna. Wareham's melancholy vocals and Sean Eden's pretty electric guitar shimmer brightly over the drony rhythms of ex-Feeliesdrummer Stan Demeski andChillsbassist Justin Harwood. Mr. Verlaine himself steps into the fray with some guest fretwork on "Moon Palace" and "23 Minutes in Brussels," which, like many Luna tracks, slowly builds and then drifts into gorgeous semiresolution. And don't miss that unlisted bonus track, a cover of Serge Gainsbourg's "Bonnie and Clyde" withStereolab's Laetitia Sadier singing the Brigitte Bardot part. A sensitive band that hasn't forgotten how to rock, Luna have a talent for making songs of resignation and regret that are not only palatable but, after repeated listenings, positively addictive.--Bill Forman