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INXS - X Audio CD

A fair review of the INXS "X" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all INXS reviews here, or go back to the INXS tabs.

INXS Band: INXS
Title: X
Rating:
Release Date: 1990-09-07
Media: Audio CD

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

Too "safe"
But as a follow-up to the critical and commercial smash 'Kick', the album is a bit of a let down. Taken on its own merits, 'X' is pretty good.

The problem is that INXS clearly want to hold on to their casual 'Kick' fans, so they play it very safe. Almost too safe; the pop elements are pushed to the fore and the production is slick, flattening everything down so it won't make a mess. Not a note or lyric is out of place, even Kirk's saxophone is deemed too intrusive for most songs! And the songs are safe as well, all clearly designed for commerical radio play, with little of the quirkiness or subtlety that characterises INXS' best work.

Of the tracks here, "Suicide Blonde" and "Disappear" are the two clear highlights, while "By My Side" is another under-rated gem. Those apart, "Bitter Tears" has a strong Louie-Louie stomp, and the sharp harmonica blasts liven up "Who Pays The Price" a bit, but there's not a great deal else to take away from this.

Unfortunately, the timidity of this album would only be emphasised within a year, when grunge and alternative rock suddenly made INXS look very dated. In this context, 'X' was the start of the band's decline, and it's hard not to wish they'd made this album more like 'Welcome to Wherever You Are' to keep them relevant in the early 90's. .


Michael Hutchence's Vocal Appeal
It produced two huge hits such as SUICIDE BLONDE and I DISAPPEAR. 1990 album by the legendary pop rock band from down under well showcases Michael Hutchence's vocal appeal. INXS made super sensation by their last album KICK which made their first #1 US hit I NEED YOU TONIGHT. In this album however catchiness is well restrained and you need to have a couple of listens to have their music appeal. Overall the smooth vocal all the way through. Particularly sixth track LATELY is the best in this album a great match with U2.

Verdict: Well-made pop rock yet deeply crafted
Rating: 84 out of 100
Recommended for: Aussie rock fans in general and U2 fans.


following in the footsteps
inxs "follow up" too the magnifcent album "kick" really it was a commerical failure in the eyes of the critics and some fans everybody thought they would make another "kick" like when most bands make an album that strikes a chord in the hearts of people they expect the bands to carry on doing that formula for the rest of their career but that wasn't the case in the house of inxs
they made a completely different sounding album too the brilliant "kick" which features some of inxs "classic" soundin' songs. that have as much punch as any songs off of kick"
yeah they may not havin' the hit single feel of kick
but they dig deeper and keep a hold
[i'm not sayin' kick is rubbish because it'a a favorite of mine]
this album features the singles "suicide blonde" "disappear"
the former where andrew descriptions his ideas for the video
where two women hit each with fish and hutchence crackin' up laughin'
this album features a classic "the stairs" "who pays the price"
"bitter tears"

the follow up that got luke-warm reception due to the success of the previous album shame again it's a classic .


Go for the remaster
"Kick" was one of the biggest albums of the year, they had their first American number one single and had polished off a world tour that was successful beyond their wildest dreams. INXS were coming off a massive high before this album got underway. The demands on the band weighed in heavy - everything had to be bigger and more amazing than before. It made "X" an album that couldn't possibly live up to anyone's expectations.

The band was also obviously aware of their position. The songs on "X" sound over thought out. Only the initial single sounds at all spontaneous, with Charlie Musselwhite's killer harmonica riff elevating the song to a classic. And the catchy "doo doo doo" chorus on "Disappear" made that song a worthy single as well. But then the songs begin to lose steam. "Bitter Tears" and "By My Side" hold up the best, but the "Kick" factor is literally not there.

That having been said, "X" is still a very satisfying listen. Had this been that album before "Kick" and after "Listen Like Thieves," I doubt it would get the bad rap it often gets. They explored some funky sounds here ("Bitter Tears" and "Who Pays The Price") that would have also made strong singles. While this would not be my first choice for an INXS purchase, I still recommend "X" to fans of the band's style of rock.


My favorite INXS CD....
All the songs are good and listenable but my personal favorite is Faith in Each Other, it sends a positive message and I like the music and the lyrics. This is one of my road trip CDs, I always make sure to have this one in the car with me. In a way it doesn't sound like your typical INXS song, but I enjoy it nonetheless. Other favorites include Know the Difference, Lately, Hear that Sound, Bitter Tears and Disappear which I think is one of the best songs INXS has ever recorded.

This is my favorite INXS CD, while it's pretty hard to top Kick which I also really enjoy, for some reason this one is always the one I reach for. It's hard to believe that it's 16 years old, seems like it was just yesterday that I first heard these songs. This one may not have been as successful as Kick, but I think it is just as good if not better.


You can see a complete list of all INXS discography, or go back to the INXS tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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