New Zealand-born
Michael Dean Wareham formed beloved underground dream pop outfit
Luna in 1992 after the dissolution of his previous beloved underground dream pop outfit,
Galaxie 500, and while
Luna never attained the legendary cult status of his critically lauded minimalist trio with
Damon & Naomi, the group certainly bought itself a prime plot in the indie rock hall of fame. Backed in their earliest incarnation by ex-
Feelies drummer
Stanley Demeski and
Chills bassist and fellow Kiwi
Justin Harwood,
Luna relied on a mix of
Wareham's deadpan delivery of alternately romantic and sarcastic lyrics and the band's lucid, "Candy Says"-era
Velvet Underground-inspired foundation to rope in a formidable fan base that followed them through the peaks and valleys of seven full albums. Rhino's
Best of Luna is bereft of the B-sides, alternate takes, and previously unreleased tracks that normally populate this kind of collection, but
Wareham's insightful anecdotal notes will please longtime fans, while the songs themselves will lure in even the most suspicious of passersby. ~ James Christopher Monger