Kick (1987)
INXS's Kick is an undeniably iconic album that still sounds fresh and exciting to this day. It is no wonder that it was their most successful record, containing several of the band's biggest hits and showcasing their incredible musical prowess. INXS has even earned their first NSA with this record. From start to finish, Kick is five full stars and has no skippable songs. Congrats to the band for entering this exclusive group!
"Guns in the Sky" is the opening track of the album and it hits hard with its funky bassline and punk attitude. It is a strong start to the record and shows that the band's still got a lot of energy left in the tank. Then comes “New Sensation", an upbeat track that is one of the band's biggest hits, and for good reason. It's catchy, danceable, and features a memorable guitar riff that will stick in your head for days.
“Need You Tonight" was and is even bigger than “New Sensation”. This funky dance track is one of the band's most famous songs, and again it is not hard to see why. The electronic beats, rock guitar riff, and seductive vocals all come together to create a unique and unforgettable sound. You may even hear some interpolation of this song on the iconic Dua Lipa’s hit single “Don’t Start Now” from her 2020 album Future Nostalgia.
Right after is “Mediate". Essentially a spoken word poem that serves as a segue between "Need You Tonight" and "The Loved One." It's a quirky and unexpected addition to the album that adds to its eclectic nature. “Never Tear Us Apart" is ballad-adjacent. It is one of INXS' most beloved songs. The piano and saxophone instrumentation are incredible, and Hutchence's vocals are particularly powerful on this track. You feel this song DEEP in your body.
“Mystify" is my favorite song from the record, and might be my favorite INXS song all together. The songs guitar riff and Hutchence's vocals are both incredibly memorable, and the chorus is one of the catchiest on the entire record. Hutchence’s voice has never been richer than on this track and the bouncy piano parts are infectious.
The title track of the album, “Kick” is a high-energy, high-octane rock song that shows off the band's musical chops. The guitar solo towards the end of the song is particularly impressive, and its horn ensemble and saxophone are nothing short of anthemic.
One of the things that makes ‘Kick’ such a standout album is the way that INXS blends different styles of music together so seamlessly. The musicianship on ‘Kick’ is also top-notch, with each member of the band shining in their respective roles. The drums are especially impressive, providing a solid backbone to each and every track on the album. The production, too, is outstanding, with a crisp and clear sound that still holds up today.
‘Kick’ is a timeless record that remains an essential listen for any fan of rock, pop, or funk music. It's a testament to INXS's talent as musicians and songwriters. Each track is memorable and adds to the overall cohesiveness of the album. It's no wonder why it remains one of the band's most beloved records to this day.
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Highlight Songs:
Mystify
Need You Tonight
Never Tear Us Apart
New Sensation
Kick
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Own it, Stream it, Forget about it?
Don’t you dare for one second think you should not own this record. It is essential to have a hard copy of Kick in anyone’s music collection.
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Overall Rating:
5 Stars
