INXS- Complete Artist Review
Complete Artist Review after reviewing every album. Here you will find an overview of the band as well as my personal rankings of all of their records. You will also find my Top 10 Songs as well as a link to an Essentials Playlist in this pages 1st photo
INXS
INXS is a band that not only helped define the sound of the 1980s, but also left a lasting impact on the entire decade. They were one of the early pioneers of dance rock music and rightfully deserve recognition and praise for all of their contributions.
However, INXS wasn't always the most consistent rock band. They had a slow start, reached a remarkable peak, and then experienced a turbulent decline. Formed in Sydney in 1977, the Australian pub-rock band initially drew heavily from new wave and post-punk influences, emphasizing rhythm and danceability.
Their debut and self-titled album, released in 1980, showcased their energetic, guitar-driven sound, albeit unpolished and far from their signature style. The potential was evident, and it became more apparent on their second album, "Underneath the Colours," where the band began exploring atmospheric and moody territories. Although “Underneath the Colours” is easier and more palatable to listen to than their debut, it is far from the INXS we know and love today.
Everything changed with their third studio album, "Shabooh Shoobah," as INXS started incorporating funk and soul influences into their music. This stylistic shift marked a breakthrough for the band on the global music scene. I believe this album is an excellent starting point for any listener, and their subsequent record, "The Swing," only improved upon that. With the help of a talented music producer in Niles Rodgers, INXS exuded swagger on "The Swing" and scored a massive hit with "Original Sin," propelling them forward.
Seizing the momentum, INXS released "Listen Like Thieves," where they brought rock to the forefront while maintaining the dance and pop elements that made their previous albums successful. However, it was their next album, 1987's "Kick," where the band reached their commercial peak. "Kick" showcased a polished, radio-friendly sound with slick production and catchy hooks, making it their best album in my opinion. It epitomizes 1980s dance rock/pop music, delivering pure fun from start to finish in their one and only NSA (No Skip Album).
Although INXS continued releasing successful albums throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, their popularity began to decline as the decade progressed. The follow-up to "Kick," 1990's "X," is undeniably a great album but feels like a younger sibling to "Kick." At times, feeling formulaic and lacking of the same level of innovation and creativity as “Kick” had.
"Welcome to Wherever You Are" from 1992 received positive reviews, which was confusing to me as I consider it a below-average album. INXS was trying to adapt to the changing music landscape of the 1990s and compete with new bands, trends, and styles, but they needed more time to recapture their 80s success.
Their subsequent album, "Full Moon, Dirty Hearts," took a more experimental and eclectic approach, featuring many collaborations with artists like Chrissie Hynde and Ray Charles. While it received mixed reviews and failed to make a significant impact on the charts, it did represent a step forward from "Welcome to Wherever You Are."
INXS's ‘final’ album, "Elegantly Wasted," released in 1997, completes a trio of albums that parallels their first trio. "Welcome to Wherever You Are" resembles their self-titled debut, where the band was off to a rough start and experimented and searched for their sound at the turn of a new decade. "Full Moon, Dirty Hearts" mirrors "Underneath The Colours," as INXS continued to explore new directions and started to show some signs of life, albeit faint. Finally, "Elegantly Wasted" echoes "Shabooh Shoobah," as both albums are not flawless but solidify the band's new sound. "Shabooh Shoobah" served as the launching pad for their trademark 1980s sound, and "Elegantly Wasted" could have done the same for their newly evolved late 90s sound.
Among the three albums, "Elegantly Wasted" stands out as the strongest, suggesting that they had cracked the code and potentially could have regained popularity if they had released another record.
Tragically, Michael Hutchence's death in 1997 plunged INXS into a period of uncertainty and soul-searching. In the years that followed, the band made the decision to recruit a new lead singer, J.D. Fortune, through a reality TV show called "Rock Star: INXS." The resulting album, 2005's "Switch," holds a nostalgic grip on me. While the record is solid and leans more towards a 2000s generic rock sound, it failed to generate much excitement among fans or critics. Despite continuing to tour, INXS never released a second album with Fortune as their lead vocalist. They were unable to recapture the same level of success or cultural relevance they had enjoyed during their peak years. But their legacy lives on.
Now that I have briefly touched on all of their releases, let us rank the albums and check out their best songs!
Kick (1987)
X (1990)
Listen Like Thieves (1985)
The Swing (1984)
Shabooh Shoobah (1982)
Elegantly Wasted (1997)
Switch (2005)
Full Moon, Dirty Hearts (1993)
Underneath The Colours (1981)
Welcome To Wherever You Are (1992)
INXS (1980)
Album Rankings
Mystify (Kick)
Never Tear Us Apart (Kick)
Need You Tonight (Kick)
New Sensation (Kick)
Suicide Blonde (X)
Don’t Change (Shabooh Shoobah)
Devil’s Party (Switch)
Original Sin (The Swing)
What You Need (Listen Like Thieves)
Same Direction (Listen Like Thieves)
TOP 10 SONGS
In No Particular Order
INXS was a band that left an indelible mark on the music scene of the 1980s and early 1990s. With their infectious rhythms, catchy hooks, and charismatic frontman, they captured the hearts of fans around the world and became one of the most successful and popular bands of their era. Even after the tragic loss of Michael Hutchence, their legacy endures, and their music continues to inspire new generations of fans. While their later albums may not have reached the same heights as their early work, the band's willingness to evolve and experiment helped them stay relevant and maintain their artistic integrity. For anyone who loves great rock music with a touch of funk and soul, INXS is a band that is definitely worth exploring.