Customer Reviews

Mexican Moon

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you are experiencing angst, on the verge of a breakthrough you can not quite put into words, get this album. It may just take you there. Powerful, powerful stuff.

I am not sure if Ms. Napolitano made the transition but this is an album to be experienced. Rip roarin' powerful music. Love Is A Blind Ambition is pure poetry. Jonestown will send your head into a dither. At the end of Jenny I Read you will have experienced Jenny's journey.

I have never been so moved by an album as this one. Raw passion. Anger. Deliverance. Ecstasy. It's all there. The guitar will jangle in your ear, the sound effects will send your eyeballs spinning and Johnette's vocal range, from sultry growl to angry howls, will pierce your heart. Pop on your headphones and be transported.

Listening to this last night I realize I've since moved on in terms of how I relate to this album but it is still by far one of the best, and perhaps most underrated, album that I have come across.

If you're looking for rock music that refuses to indulge in cliches, soften its edges or resort to aimless jamming, this album is for you. I heartily agree with a previous reviewer, who expressed his incredulity that Concrete Blonde never attained greater recognition or popularity. And of the half dozen or so superior albums that the group released, "Mexican Moon" is, in my opinion, the best.

Any discussion of the band has to begin with J. Napolitano's incredible voice, and she establishes its power from the first track, "Jenny I Read," a vocal and instrumental performance delivered with astonishing dramatic intensity.

Napolitano's vocals serve as a perfect complement to the searing instrumental delivery of the band on "Heal It Up," "One of My Kind," and, most memorably, "I Call It Love," which should be listened to closely today.

This album -- and this group -- isn't afraid to expose raw feeling, anger and cynicism, but it also can show a softer side, as on the title cut. The lyricism of the latter shows it's possible to recognize the beauty in life without sacrificing the edge that all of us develop from life in the rough-and-tumble world.

This is album is one of true transport. Johnette shows us all her fabulous diveristy in her poetic styles. The english vs. the spanish version of Mexican Moon will leave you breathless. Rain, Love is a Blind Ambition, I Call It Love, and Heal It Up lend us a view into the pain of a genius mind. A pain and passion we all share. This album is simply put, fantastic and a must hear for anyone. If you have never heard this band before, this is the album to start with. Once you hear the beauty and pure poetry of the lyrics, I can promise, that you will be hooked to this band.

If you are experiencing angst, on the verge of a breakthrough you can not quite put into words, get this album. It may just take you there. Powerful, powerful stuff. I am not sure if Ms. Napolitano made the transition but this is an album to be experienced. Rip roarin' powerful music. Love Is A Blind Ambition is pure poetry. Jonestown will send your head into a dither. At the end of Jenny I Read you will have experienced Jenny's journey. I have never been so moved by an album as this one. Raw passion. Anger. Deliverance. Ecstasy. It's all there. The guitar will jangle in your ear, the sound effects will send your eyeballs spinning and Johnette's vocal range, from sultry growl to angry howls, will pierce your heart. Pop on your headphones and be transported.

The follow-up to their commercially successful "Bloodletting" finds Concrete Blonde treading on slightly different ground. Much of this album deals with love and the highs and lows that it can take people's emotions. Of course when Concrete Blonde sings about love there is always a sense of melancholy and sorrow just on the horizon. Religion, and detailed character studies also populate the disc. The music is influenced by Mexico and the southwest with frequent use of flamenco style guitar and a general feel that brings to mind dusty southwestern towns in which many of the songs characters inhabit. "Moon" is an excellent disc and it continues to boggle my mind why this band never had more commercial success than they had. The music is top notch, and even more varied on this disc than the previous one. The lyrics are emotional and provocative painting mental pictures that linger in the listeners head. Over all of this Napolitano's vocals weave their magic spell on the songs in the way that only she could sing them. Every song on this album is a winner, with highlights including the opener "Jenny I Read", the title track "Mexican Moon" (two versions, one in English and one in Spanish). The creepy "Jonestown" with its recorded introduction of Jim Jones. "Heal It Up" was the single that should have done much better than it did. "One Of My Kind" would have fit right in on "Bloodletting". Hell, they are all great. I have not listened to this disc in a long time and pulling out again reminds me of just how good it is.

This was the last album of theirs before an eight year break, and is as good as any album before it. I'm constantly amazed that they weren't more popular than they were. Each of their albums seems to have a different theme, intentional or not, and the vibe here is very much the southwest, and of course Mexico. But it doesn't dominate the album. "Heal It Up" is the only single I remember, and a very strong song. "End Of The Line" is an excellent guitar strummin' song. "(Love is a) Blind Ambition" seems to be the "Tommorrow Wendy" of this cd, musically anyway. Plus two versions of the title track, (one in Spanish). Johnette's voice is perfect as always. For someones first, or only Concrete Blonde disc, I'd suggest "Recollection", but for anyone this is really a wonderful cd.

This is one of my favorite albums. This band, and especially this album, are undeservedly underrated. Johnette's vocals/lyrics are highly emotional and move me in ways few other musicians can. The title track is what I consider this band's best work....the song is so evocative....it's almost like remembering a dream from her point of view. I love it!

Mexican Moon, taken as a whole, is one of the most emotionally powerful albums I have ever heard. Johnette's soulful voice conveys anger, longing, hatred and love as Jim's rhythms weave a musical tapestry. Less dark yet and more romantic then Bloodletting, this is one of the few albums I enjoyed completely the first time through.

I heard a song on the radio last fall and could not get it out of my head. It was "Mexican Moon". I had to buy the album. I was totally immersed by that song. I have several of her albums now, her voice is so sensual. When I played it for my wife while driving one day, she fell in love with it too. Johnette has a talent and a great voice.

What an amazing albulm! I've been listening to it back to back for hours now and i can't get enough! I didn't have enough to buy Group Therpy on iTunes so i got this for less than five bucks (it's practically stealing really)and i am in no way dissapointed (aside from the fact that it had to end)!

Jenny i Read(10/10)- the opening song and one of my favorites. A very gritty and intense song with amazing lyrics that will never get old. Johnette Napalitano (who has since Group Therapy went solo, so check out Scarred) screams in this one. I love it when she's screams, her soulful voice just raises the hair on your neck! amazing.

Mexican Moon(10/10)- Simpy put: beautiful created. Song just seems to flow. Has the ability to lift your mood in an instant.

Heal It Up(8/10)- My least fav of the bunch. Not a bad song really, i just think the other song are much better. Great vocals on this one too.

Johnstown(10/10)- The epitome of great lyrics. Love the flow of this on. The atmosphere created in this really gets you thinking (or dancing), really intense!

Rain(9/10)- A slower one, but quite beautiful. Ah, who am i kidding? Anything with Napalitano's voice on it is beautiful.

I Call I Love(9/10)- Again, great lyrics. Great song.

Jesus Please Forgive Me(For What Im About To Say)(11/10)- Best song on the albulm. Great funny lyrics, song really gets you pumped up and ready to dance. Or mabey i just love dancing?

When You Smile & Close To Home(9/10)- Both are great semi-slower songs. Love them.

(Love Is A) Blind Ambition(10/10) Beautiful!

Must buy! You wont regret it, i promise!