Lunapark (1992)

With the grace of tiny meteors showering a lake, Dean Wareham sings Luna²'s moonlight contemplations over a scant measure of gentle chords, crisp drumming, and insinuating threads of distorted lead guitar. On the band's debut album, they take on life, love, and foliage in a laconic voice with the allure of a romantic whisper. Bare-bones pop, a late-'60s Velvet Underground invention that seems to have more practitioners now than ever, is a tricky medium, a balancing act that can easily tip into anonymity. But Luna² faces the challenge with abundant confidence and intelligence, painting Lunapark a distinctive, delightful hue. B+