"Mexican Moon" is the fifth studio album by alternative rock band Concrete Blonde, released in 1995. This album marks a shift in their sound, blending the gothic rock elements of their earlier work with a more pronounced hard rock edge.
Fronted by Johnette Napolitano, who provided vocals, bass guitar, samples, and the album artwork, Mexican Moon features Paul Thompson on drums and James Mankey on guitar. The album's themes delve into personal struggles, societal critiques, and complex emotions.
One notable track, "Jenny I Read," explores the rise and fall of a fashion model, rumored to be inspired by Bettie Page. It reflects on fame and its fleeting nature. "Mexican Moon" finds Napolitano singing about a failed romance and the desire to escape to Mexico, capturing a sense of longing and retreat. Another track, "Jonestown," critiques the ideology surrounding the Jonestown Massacre, opening with a chilling sample of Jim Jones's rants about warfare, setting a somber tone for the song. "End of the Line" is a cover of a Roxy Music song, originally written by Bryan Ferry, showcasing the band's versatility and ability to reinterpret classic material.
The closing track, "Bajo la Lune Mexicana," features lyrics written by Napolitano in Spanish, which are a literal translation of the title track. Interestingly, while the translation captures the essence of the original, it lacks proper grammatical structure, with verbs un-conjugated and gender ignored, yet this doesn't detract from its lyrical intent.
Overall, Mexican Moon stands out as a significant entry in Concrete Blonde's discography, merging hard rock with introspective lyrics and an experimental spirit.
