CD Review: Luna Halo Leaves Jesus Behind Long-Awaited Release

By: Stephanie Dennen

Posted: 10/2/07

10/02/07 - Chances are you've never heard of a little band called Luna Halo. Hailing from Nashville, Tenn., this former Christian rock band is going to be the next big thing.

Formed in 1999 by Nathan Barlowe, Luna Halo has seen a few reinventions in its short years. As mentioned before, Luna Halo was originally a Christian rock band. However, as members came and went, the only member left was Barlowe.

According to the band's MySpace profile (www.myspace.com/lunahalo), Barlowe, the lead vocalist and guitarist, recruited his younger brother Cary, a guitarist, for the band. Later the Barlowe brothers found bassist Aaron Jenkins and drummer Chris Coleman. Recently the band was completed with the addition of keyboardist Matt Erikson.

Together, Jenkins, Coleman, Erikson and the Barlowe brothers make up Luna Halo on the upcoming Oct. 30 release of their self-titled debut on Columbia Records imprint American Recordings. The album was produced by Neal Avon, who has also produced acts like Yellowcard, Fall Out Boy and Everclear.

With its reincarnation, the band moved away from its faith-based Christian roots and into mainstream rock, using relationship experiences as a basis for its songs.

According to its Wikipedia page, in 2004 Luna Halo's Christian fans were angered by this separation, calling the band members "sell outs" and warning future fans against the band for its personal smoking and drinking habits and use of profanity during live performances.

With the addition of sex and drugs to its rock' n' roll, Luna Halo was reborn.

Creating a truly rock album, Luna Halo is one of those bands without a gimmick. It doesn't have cutesy lyrics or hooks and it doesn't call itself "alternative." It just rocks.

That isn't to say that fans of alternative, indie and so-called "emo" bands won't enjoy this album, as Luna Halo seems to have an eclectic appeal. On the surface, there's some of the whiney-sounding vocals that are popular in some of today's acts, yet it is equally matched with a skill and intensity of a classic rock album.

I'll admit, my knowledge of classic rock is pretty much limited to TV soundtracks and Guitar Hero, but I generally find it pleasant, and well, classic.

Luna Halo can't really be described as having a similar sound to any certain band, but they have toured North America and Europe opening for acts such as Velvet Revolver, Hoobastank and Joan Jett.

Not yet a household name, Luna Halo is about to become a new classic. With clean beats and real guitarists, the band blurs the line between familiar and brand new. The final track, "World on Fire" has a similar sound to Fueled By Ramen's bands The Academy Is… and This Providence.

Following in the footsteps of such acts, the song also has some catchy and memorable lyrics. Even with the band's conscious effort to leave the religious undertones out, the lyrics still sneak in some mentions of heaven, souls, confessing and sin.

"You taught the serpent how to dance/ You're the siren of romance…the end is coming/ Why would you leave me wanting?"

Sounds a little like something a Catholic schoolboy would say to get a girl. But then again, you can take the Christianity out of the band, but you can't take the Christianity out of the boy.

The best part about Luna Halo is the fact that you've probably been hearing them around, tapping your foot to the beat and never knowing who you were listening to. Their song "Kings and Queens" was featured as the theme song on the final season of the TV show "King of Queens"; it was also featured on the 2007 NHL Stanley Cup. "On My Way" has been played on CBS' "Ghost Whisperer."

Based on this album, I can see Luna Halo being the next Taking Back Sunday or Switchfoot by building up an underground cult following. Pretty soon it'll be breaking out on soundtracks to teen dramas and making its way to every teenager's iPod.

Fans of rock music will be rocking out to Luna Halo's self-titled debut when it hits stores on Oct. 30. Will you be one of them?