Customer Reviews

Michael Hutchence

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

C'mon people. This album is great. For those out there who think the only good thing to come from this album is "slide away" I can only say one thing, and that's to open your eyes. This is probably one of the greatest albums I've heard in a long time and it's on the top of my collection. The first track "let me show you" is just dynamic and it blew me away when i first put the CD in my player. "possibilites", one of my personal favs just shines with Michael's magnificent voice and poetry. "get on the inside" is very catchy and will have you singing it in your head or outloud. "fear", not really a fan of that one, just alittle too sugery almost, and Michael ain't sugery. but "all i'm saying" is one of those songs that reminds you of his suicide with the deep sound and lyrics. then there's the hit song " straight line " which personally i didn't like at first, too much INXS...but then ya put that aside and just have fun. truly a great song to listen to in the car and when having a downfall. "baby it's alright", this is close to one of those Elegantly Wasted songs. an average track, happy go lucky i guess. "don't save me from myself", makes you ask yourself, would this be a cry for help if he would've been alive to release it. probably one of the shortest songs and one of the coolest is "she flirts for england". i instanly liked this song. purely a song for Paula. then another one of my personal favourites is "flesh and blood"...it's just haunting. "put the pieces back together" is the 'rocker' of the album. an angry song where Michael is gonna put it together no matter what they do. "breathe", the darkest track and one of the most..shall i say provacative. and then the song everyone knows "slide away" with Bono. it's a beautiful track and one of the best on the album. all and all this is a great album with great music, a great voice, and great lyrics. i also recommend Elegantly Wasted by INXS...on of the most unrated INXS albums to date.

When a friend of mine gave me this CD, I was surpised that I had not known about it sooner. I have loved Michael since "Kiss the Dirt (Falling Down the Mountain)" and then the subsequent Kick Tour, where I was fortunate enough to see him in in the Summer of '88. I remember the day I learned of his death, and am grateful to have heard this wonderful CD. His sadness is very evident in the lyrics, and especially in the cover photo on the CD. This CD is among my top favorites of all time. I miss Michael, and I can't believe he is gone. I cannot say anything bad about this CD except that Michael is no longer with us so we could tell him ourselves how much we love his music.

I came to this CD not so much as an INXS fan but as a Gang of Four / Andy Gill fan. Contrary to the way the Amazon review above makes it sound, Hutchence and Gang of Four guitarist Andy Gill worked out the songs on this album before Hutchence's death, and it does come across as a collaborative effort (along with a few songs with Saber, also worked on before Hutchence passed away). The production is often a sort of "heavy funk", a term that makes sense to me but which I might have trouble defining. Not the slippery or sparser sort of stuff like a Sly & the Family Stone or James Brown groove, but edgier, with heavier guitars. Some of it's absolutely irresistable if you've got a rhythmic bone in your body. Hutchence's vocals make it sound as if he's having an awfully good time cutting loose with this album, playing around vocally, throwing himself into it. The overall production is dynamic, with cool sounds and surprises that add to the framework of the songs without screwing them up. (There's a sort of sheen to the production that not everyone will like, but I think suits the music well.) There's also a good range of tunes, some propulsive and danceable, others a little more subdued, some introspective and touching.

Probably not everyone's cup of tea, but well worth a listen. Gill's guitar work, by the way, is more reminiscent of later Gang of Four albums, like Mall and Shrinkwrapped, if you're familiar with those, rather than Entertainment. Explosive, wild-sounding distortion bursts mixed in with the rest of the tableau.

Overall, a pleasant surprise indeed.

I think people are wrong to expect this to be an INXS album. This is a Michael Hutchence album. It is a little dark especially with the production work. This album sounds like it is coming from a depressed man, and Slide Away, a awesome song, seems to have suicide written all over it.

I do think this is a great album, if anything for the lyrics, but I have a hard time listening to this because it constantly makes me think of Michael's death.

Wild.Can't beleive there is any question on the merits of this album. It must have something to do with the fact that INXS has always been a critic's kick ball in the USA and sales of late havn't exactly been noteworthy. But are you a fan? If you are you need to check this album out. Play the sound bites offered to you by Amazon-Possibilities and All I'm Saying. With Save me and Slide Away it's worth the price of the CD.I would be very interested in a long version CD single for Slide Away (even though I have never bought a CD single). Amoung the best pop ever made. The CD has been playing in my car for weeks. Michael Hutchence was a rare and underated talent.He will be missed by this 40 year old male californian suburban married with children music lover.

I listened to this CD this morning first day of the release and I am quite pleased with it. The fact that much of it seems to foreshadowed gives it a spooky sometimes suggestive feel of Hutchence's impending demise, much of which could have been added after the fact. Loved the song with Bono the best! If you are an INXS fan this is a must have.

How can this masterpiece of self-expression be available only through third party sellers? This CD must be rereleased! In the meantime, I intend to purchase back-up CD's so I am not left without. You see, this CD has become a very significant listening pleasure for me. The lyrics are extremely haunting and heartfelt. The music is soulful, sophisticated, and well-suited to the personal nature of Mr. Hutchence's revealing words. While some may find this album too personal, I find it to be simply exquisite, like those moments you share with a trusted friend with whom you can commiserate. There is so much soul and beauty in this CD, the soulful sensibility of the carefully composed and arranged music, the beauty of his poetically self-revealing lyrics. There is, of course, the beauty of Michael Hutchence's voice and phrasing. The combination of his lyrics and vocal delivery is riveting. Please don't think this album to be depressing because of what happened to Hutch. It's not. In fact, I find it hopeful and uplifting as it communicates to me a desire to make life changes for the better. This CD is an experience that should not be missed. If this CD could be rereleased, then many more people could have the same enriching moments that I have been able to appreciate and enjoy. This album is truly special!

well I must say that I bought this album mostly becasue I'm a U2 fan and I just fell in love with "Slide Away" and when I listened to it all I just couldn't believe...I mean it's really great. All the songs are both lyrically and musically perfect. You may not find it as interesting at first listening but then you'll just love it, I guarantee.

michael hutchence self-titled only ever solo album away from INXS in some people's mind it's a bad thing, people believe inxs made michael what he was, but this album proves people wrong michael could of done a cheesy pop album and i would of loved it because it's the frontman who makes the band.
as this album is a beautiful masterpiece with great orchestra arrangments DEEP DEEP lyrics and "slide away" with bono is beautiful betyond words..i can't express how deeply this moves me when i play just as i'm getting ready to sleep, you can feel the emotion michael is protraying
it's an POWERFUL POWERFUL album which is above a masterpiece if their is a word.. oh yeah there is GENIUS
it's a sad fact that michael would commit suciude
paula yates protested that michael wouldn't leave tiger lily
well whatever happen he was one of the greatest frontmen and songwriters the music world has had
GOD bless Hutchence

This ablum is Michael Hutchence's final work and a truly emotional experience even for a new fan. The album hits every emotional cord of the human experience. A truly talented and tortured man. I wish he was here today!

A living memory of truly wonderful man!