Elegantly Wasted

INXS | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 15, 1997)
• Original Release Date: April 15, 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B000001ERU
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #46,283 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

First release from polish new symphonic/melodic sensation. Every Stratovarius fan will love this band. Shark. 2004. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A GOOD OVERLOOKED ALBUM THAT CAME TOO LATE.., August 22, 2004

By 

G. YEO "gyeo" (Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elegantly Wasted (Audio CD)

1997 - I recall being excited somewhat that INXS had a new album, but I wondered: would it be any good? Their last one: Full Moon Dirty Hearts was awful and the last time I'd seen them on tour - Michael Hutchence looked drugged out and sounded, well, wasted. But the band played on...

Elegantly Wasted is as some reviewers say here - a rejuvenated INXS back on track. It was really the album that INXS needed to have done a few years earlier before they lost the plot. But as luck would have it, the industry had changed and it seemed that INXS just wasn't as relevant anymore. I think it would've taken the band a couple more albums to claw back to the top - if that door was still open.

Fans of Kick and X and Welcome to Wherever You Are will not be disappointed. Every track here is solid - and the absence of a clear cut hit doesn't detract from the listening experience and the production of the album.

The real question was whether INXS would be pop stars again. This album shows that the musicianship hadn't suffered and Hutchence still sounded great. But externally, he clearly wasn't the same man. His departure left a bitter taste and few answers...but a solid music legacy.

Elegantly Wasted will remain the overlooked INXS album and the sign of what could have continued.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars INXS at their very best!, August 11, 1998

By 

Sarah Drodge ([e-mail]) (Nova Scotia, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elegantly Wasted (Audio CD)

Elegantly Wasted is a very intense album with a variation of unique musical styles. Ranging from the soul-sound of "Searching" to the power of "Don't Lose Your Head", it can be upbeat, melodic, and passionate. It manages to maintain a dance element without being "teeny-bopper" music. Lyrically, it is very mature, and gives a very personal look at the life of Michael Hutchence, a gifted and extremely talented man, with songs such as "I'm Just A Man" and "Building Bridges". You know that every word he sings is meant, and written not to sell, but written from the bottom of his heart. This is INXS' most mature, powerful, and certainly their best album yet.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Michael Hutchence is gone but this album lives on!, December 9, 2005

By 

Nightwing - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elegantly Wasted (Audio CD)

Inxs are back in the spotlight with RockStar: Inxs. Yada yada yada...

However, the most talented member of the band (IMO) is no longer with us.

This release captures some of the best Inxs songs ever recorded.

"Don't Lose Your Head" is such a catchy and poppy song. However, it has very deep lyrics that someone could spend days thinking about. I know I have. Imagine the music of John Mellencamp's "Jack and Diane" meets the lyrics of Hutch. Then you have about a 80% idea of how awesome this track is. Nothing I could say could do it justice.

"Searching" is a song that isn't very catchy the first time you hear it. However, it will grow on you quickly. It is a VERY amazing song. The lyrics make you wonder what state of mind, Michael was in during this time.

"Elegantly Wasted" is the title track and it has a different style to it. It doesn't really sound like anything Inxs have done before (IMO.) This isn't a bad thing though. The song has a great hook and once again, Michael's lyrics and voice shine.

Also I would say check out "Girl On Fire" because is catchy if you give it a chance.

Michael Hutchence may be gone. To some Inxs are gone with him. However, this album hopefully will remind people how talented Michael Hutchence was, and how great Inxs were back in 1997.