Switch (2005)
This is an album that I have a much more personal attachment to compared to all of the previous INXS albums. This was one of my earliest exposures to the music my parents liked. I grew up watching "Rockstar: INXS”, which was not just my introduction to reality tv and singing competitions, but also to “classic” rock. **Spoilers** The winner of the show was Canada’s JD Fortune. His first place finish landed him as the frontman of the new INXS (the orignal band minus the late Michael Hutchence).
‘Switch’ is a deeply nostalgic record that brings back memories of my childhood. The album captures the excitement and energy of that time, with its fresh sound and JD Fortune's passionate vocals. Even for those who didn't watch the show, ‘Switch’ is a fairly strong album that showcases the band's ability to continue evolving and experimenting with their sound. This time in the style of straight forward 2000s rock.
The album marked a significant change for the band. For fans, ‘Switch’ was a highly anticipated release, as it marked the beginning of a new era for INXS. JD Fortune's presence gave the band a fresh energy and enthusiasm, and his vocals added a new dimension to the band's sound. Sometimes very reminiscent of Michael Hutchence and other times very unique up upon himself.
The album opens with the infectious "Devil's Party," which I believe is a tongue and cheek reference to the ‘Kick’ hit “Devil Inside”. The song is my favorite on the record and it’s simply a catchy rock song that features a driving rhythm section, memorable guitar riffs, and powerful vocals, making it an instant classic.
Other standout tracks on the album include "Afterglow," a moody ballad that showcases Fortune's emotional range and the band's ability to create a powerful atmosphere through their music. "Pretty Vegas” is another standout, with its catchy chorus and anthemic feel, while "Perfect Strangers" is a driving rock song that features some of the bands signature saxophone accents.
At times, a good amount of the songs aren’t creative enough and are missing the X-factor or that extra ingredient to take an average song to a good song and a good song to an iconic song. Songs like “Hot Girls”, “Hungry”, and “Like It Or Not” all fall victim to this. But, the band still tried to experiment with different sounds and styles. "Never Let You Go" features a funky, driving bossa nova rhythm that shows the band incorporating new elements into their music. Just not often enough.
‘Switch’ ends up being the final run for INXS as after this record the band parted ways with JD Fortune. It is by no means a bad album, though. Quite the opposite. With its more rock oriented tracks, the album showcases the band's ability to continue to experiment with different sounds and styles, like they did in the 90s, and try to keep making new music. There is more than plenty to love on this record and you probably will enjoy a good bit of it after you accept that this is an INXS record without Michael Hutchence. Once you do that, ‘Switch’ is an acceptable finale to the INXS saga.
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Highlight Songs:
Devils Party
Pretty Vegas
Afterglow
Us
Never Let You Go
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Own it, Stream it, Forget about it?
Might be controversial to some, but for me this is an album worth owning. If you can’t get into the idea of INXS post Michael Hutchence then maybe skip it or stream it. If you can carry on and learn to love change and new things, there may be a good amount of songs on here to want to replay over and over.
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Overall Rating:
4 Stars
