X [Translucent Red Vinyl]

by INXS

Overview

The seventh album from Australia's INXS basically sticks to the formula set up on Kick, mixing solid remixable dancefloor beats with slightly quirky production tricks, Michael Hutchence's rough-edged, bluesy vocals, and some good solid song hooks. The most immediate numbers are, of course, the two singles, "Suicide Blonde" and "Disappear," but other tracks stand out as potential hit material as well, including the anthemic "The Stairs." The biggest problems with the album are a tendency to play it safe, sticking to the tried and true -- echoing a line in the thumping "Who Pays the Price," when Hutchence sings "it's all been felt before" -- and the fact that there's very little in the way of subtlety on the entire album. All of the songs are designed for immediate radio contact -- they don't really give you a chance to grow into them, they just grab you by the throat and start shaking. "Know the Difference," as an example, threatens to be sneaky but immediately switches to an obvious assault instead. In the finish, the overwhelming lack of subtlety and sense of sameness overcomes the album as a whole. It's not that's it's a bad album. It's just nowhere near as good as it could -- and should -- have been. ~ Steven McDonald

Product Details

Release Date:	10/04/2024
Label:	Atlantic
UPC:	0603497823789
Rank:	1254

Tracks

1. Suicide Blonde [2014 Remaster]
2. Disappear [2014 Remaster]
3. The Stairs [2014 Remaster]
4. Faith in Each Other [2014 Remaster]
5. By My Side [2014 Remaster]
6. Lately [2014 Remaster]
7. Who Pays the Price [2014 Remaster]
8. Know the Difference [2014 Remaster]
9. Bitter Tears [2014 Remaster]
10. On My Way [2014 Remaster]
11. Hear That Sound [2014 Remaster]

Album Credits

Performance Credits

INXS   Primary Artist
Charlie Musselwhite   Guest Artist,Harmonica
Jon Farriss   Drums,Keyboards
Tim Farriss   Guitar
Kirk Pengilly   Guitar,Vocals,Saxophone
Michael Hutchence   Vocals
Andrew Farriss   Keyboards,Guitar
Garry Beers   Bass

Technical Credits

Chris Thomas   Producer,Composer,Producer
David Nicholas   Engineer
Jon Farriss   Composer
Marvin Sease   Composer
Jesse Belvin   Composer
Neil Reid   Composer
Stevie Wonder   Composer
Kirk Pengilly   Composer
Michael Hutchence   Composer
C. Thomas   Composer
Brendan Anthony   Engineer
Andrew Farriss   Composer