Luna

While most people were still trying to understand how Galaxie 500 could have broken up, Dean Wareham went and formed Luna with members of the Chills and the Feelies. No surprise then that this debut is filled with jingle-jangle pop glories. The disarmingly simple (sometimes silly) lyrics and amazing guitar work make for brilliant songs like "Slide" and "Hey Sister."

Reedy, velvet, chilly, and feelful though it may be, I doubt I'd like this so much if Galaxie 500 sad sack and smart person Dean Wareham weren't fed up with his stupid sad-sack friends: "You're always loaded/Your life has imploded." I also like his perspective on his own bad character--a record that begins "You can never give/The finger to the blind" can't get too serious, or too nice. I like how the drummer pushes the music away from the slough of despond. And of course I like the guitar, which is pretty and ugly in all the right places. (Grade - A-)