In a surprise upset, The Owl and the Pussycat vies as runner up in the contest for best song of album. Catchy melody played on the low E string of Sean’s Fender. The Owl struck me as an obvious parallel to the Slow Song- this being a Bossa to it’s waltz. Dean (as others have already noted) lifts from the Edward Lear poem of the same name, but to stunning effect. If this is the direction Luna (or, now I suppose Dean solo) is going, I am excited by the prospects. It seems like a post coital walk along the shore on an Indian Summer evening. This is not a song of lust, but of soul-bearing midnight conversation with someone of long-term significance. A little visit to “the land where the bong tree grows”.
Luna includes on Rendezvous a touched up version of Astronaut, a worthy song that did deserve a proper release, and a song that just may tie the album together. You can read my review of the song here. This is Luna at the top of their game. My eyes are peeling.
The first thing I have to say about Broken Chair is the following- Sean can sing. This is the first of two songs sung by Sean Eden (who does sound quite like a less nasal version of Dean’s upper register, but also much like Jim James of My Morning Jacket, a band that has acknowledged Sean’s support in their liner notes). This was quite surprising, perhaps because most of Sean’s onstage banter is in some odd affected tongue (or animal sound), it seemed hard to imagine him seriously singing. Broken Chair is almost Grandaddyesque in its chorus. Britta Phillips’ sugary backing vocals tie the song together.. It was hard as a diehard fan to accept a non-dean fronted song,. but it grew on me; Broken Chair is still Luna shimmery and the first of a collection of Rendezvous songs that lean closer towards “alt-country”...
Star Spangled Man continues the more “alt-county” sound though is slightly reminiscent CCBS’s closer The Alibi.. Dean pens another interesting lyrical parallel (though one veiled so much that you pretty much need regular exposure to children to complete) journeying from Stephen Sprouse (NY counterculture artist), Chairman Mouse (fictional unless you link with Geronimo- in which case it is a often read children’s book about a identity changing mouse)..Chao Young Phat (link between Deanism of Chairman Mouse), Geronimo Pratt (Black Panther leader) Chairman Mouse could just be a Deanism, or it could be a clever lyrical game, who knows, I found the trail interesting. This is another likely contender for excellent live Luna treatment.
Article comments
1 - Eric Olsen
excellent, heartfelt review from a real fan - thanks Jen and glad to have you back! Re Luna: it's sad but all goes on.
2 - Jen
Thanks Eric, good to be back in the fold, though sad my return post had to be such a personal heartbreaker...
3 - Eric Olsen
there is always the joy of reunion!
4 - jay
been wondering when rendezvous was gonna be released... new luna cd days are like xmas for me. didn't know about the breakup plans until reading this, and i really am ill now. awful news.
nonetheless, they better schedule a show in new orleans during the send-off tour. and i can't wait for 10/26.
cheers.
5 - LIRC
They are trying to get all the touring in during 6mths, which seems hard to do, including the requiste abroad dates... Though, they hit some seemingly random locals in FLA for Romantica, Nawlins does not seem unlikely. Even though I've had Rendezvous for a while, I will be lining up at midnight to pick up my copies (ya know, one sealed for collection sake)