Full Moon, Dirty Hearts (1993)
Full Moon, Dirty Hearts continues INXS’ post-X evolution, once again chasing the sound of the times. This time, the band trades in the world music textures and slight-psychedelia of Welcome to Wherever You Are for something grittier, grungier, and more alt-rock adjacent. And while it doesn’t fully recapture the band’s golden-era magic, it’s a tighter, more enjoyable ride overall than their last outing.
There’s a looseness to this record that makes it feel more natural than Welcome to Wherever You Are. The songs are better written, the hooks are sharper, and for the first time in a while, it sounds like INXS are enjoying themselves again. I’m Only Looking and Cut Your Roses Down are two of the strongest cuts—melodic, well-produced, and proof the band still had solid instincts underneath the stylistic pivots despite trying to move the couch up the stairs.
The collaborations are a mixed bag, but undeniably fun. Please (You Got That…) with Ray Charles doesn’t break new ground, but it’s hard not to smile hearing the two voices trading lines. Full Moon, Dirty Hearts pairs Michael Hutchence with Chrissie Hynde for a smoky, cool duet that’s easily one of the album’s best moments.
And while it doesn’t hit every time (Baby Don’t Cry still feels like a B-side from the last album, and Make Your Peace spins its wheels), Full Moon… feels less like a band desperately chasing relevance and more like one trying to recalibrate.
But the truth is, the X-factor still isn’t fully back. There are great ideas here, and flashes of what once made them unstoppable—but INXS never quite finds the sound that best suits them in this new musical landscape. The genre-hopping feels more like adaptation than evolution.
Still, this is a solid, listenable record with enough bright spots to warrant return visits. It’s not top-tier INXS, but it’s a step back in the right direction—and a reminder that even off their axis, this band could still deliver when it counted.
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Highlight Songs:
Make Your Peace
I’m Only Looking
Full Moons, Dirty Hearts
Cut Your Roses Down
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Own it, Stream it, Forget about it?
I would skip owning this record, but it is worth a fair stream. You may find yourself enjoying more on this record than the last, like I did, or you’ll not care for it all together. Or maybe this is your vibe and this will become your favorite INXS album.
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Overall Rating:
3.5 Stars
