Cowboy Junkies – Pale Sun, Crescent Moon (2xLP)

Released on November 23, 1993, Pale Sun, Crescent Moon is the fifth studio album by Canadian country-rock band Cowboy Junkies. Recorded in just a few intense sessions at Studio 306 in Toronto, the album introduces a more personal, electric sound, dialing up the volume and incorporating guitar feedback alongside their signature hushed blend of alternative country and blues rock. Lyrically, it explores the complexities of male-female relationships—from romantic to dark—anchored by Margo Timmins’s evocative vocals and Michael Timmins’s textured songwriting.

The band teamed up with guitarist Ken Myhr and session musicians like Richard Bell to add depth and new sonic layers. This album pushed beyond the muted intimacy of previous records, opening with a power chord and embracing a bolder, more dynamic sound without losing the emotional nuance that defines their work.