Days of Our Nights
Founded by former members of alt-rock godhead bands theFeelies,Galaxie 500, and theChills, Luna manages to fold the best elements of those bands into their own batter: the Feelies' crazy rhythms, Galaxie 500's roomy, rainy-day vibe, and the Chills' spaced-out jangle.  Beside the best of Luna's oeuvre (BewitchedandPenthouse),The Days of Our Nightsis a fairly innocuous affair, with Luna's trademark lilting tunes, ambling, melodic bass lines, and metronomic drums adding nothing to the conversation. That said, there is no denying that Dean Wareham has developed into a fantastic, quirky, and completely original guitarist; indeed, his guitar, at times blistering, at others whispering, suppliesDayswith its finest moments. Funny to think that Wareham, who is most infamous for his wry, witty, and sometimes bratty lyricism, turns out to be a guitar hero. On "Words Without Wrinkles" he lays a searing and heartfelt solo above a Sterling Morrisonesque rhythm shuffle and a whistling melody. On "The Rustler" he trades a wavery-delicate guitar run with a souring cello. At times he reminds one ofPeter Frampton, whose expressive, conversational guitar lines are entirely underrated. However,The Days of Our Nightswill probably be most remembered for its cover ofGuns N' Roses' "Sweet Child o' Mine," and it really is an inspired cover, delving to the tender core of the song that Axl Rose's histrionics completely overshadowed.--Tod Nelson