Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best new wave albums ever, April 26, 1999
By A Customer
Like many new wave bands, INXS seemed to get progressively blander and more radio friendly into the mid and late 80's. On Shabooh Shoobah they were at, in my opinion, their creative peak. Of course Don't Change and The One Thing are great, but as others have said EVERY song on this album is really good. They all have that great mix of being a little strange, dark and off-kilter, but still very well written and catchy(I'm a sucker for great melodies and choruses). There's also just enough of a reggae feel to some of the songs to give the whole album a cool, new wave summertime Australia vibe to it. Also,because INXS didn't go too heavy with the synths and keyboards, this album doesn't sound as dated as other albums of that era. My personal faves: Here Comes, Golden Playpen and Old World, New World. Don't miss this one.
|
|
|
20 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Solid Collection - Goes to the Core of Inxs' Roots, February 1, 2005
The Australian band, Inxs bursted on the American Pop Scene in 1987 with a breakthrough album called "Kick", but Inxs had been a band that had been for several years prior to that album. "Kick" was actually the sixth album by the sixsome. Prior to "Kick", Inxs had established themselves as one of Australia's great bands. The album that actually landed them on the map in Australia was their third effort (from 1982) entitled "Shabooh Shoobah". This is a terrific effort and in a lot of ways, this collection often gets forgotten about - namely because it would be several years before the American audiences would appreciate this band (namely because of lack of airplay).
One fact that I find amazing about Inxs is that this six member band stuck together from their formation in the late 1970s through Michael Hutchence's untimely death in 1997. During this period, the band would release 10 studio albums, 1 Greatest Hits album, and 1 Live album. This has allowed the band to meld together and grow professionally. Much of this is due to the fact that three band members are brothers: Andrew Farriss (Keyboards), Jon Farriss (Drums), and Tim Farriss (Guitar). The other three members also stuck tightly with the band the whole way. These members include: Michael Hutchence (Lead Vocals), Garry Gary Beers (Bass), and Kirk Pengilly (Guitar and Sax). Hutchence - known for his long hair and theatrical performances in concert often gets the most publicity. But the remaining five members all make major contributions from a musicianship standpoint. In addition, Hutchence is not just eye candy - he plays a key role with Pengilly and the Farriss Brothers in the songwriting.
I think Inxs' musical style can be considered an offshoot of the Punk and New-Wave movements of the late 1970s and early 1980s. They definitely fit in with the synth-pop movement of the early 1980s. I find there to be a good balance of guitar and keyboard work. The two distinguishing factors that give Inxs a style of their own are : 1) The infusion of Kirk Pengilly's saxophone into this punk/new-wave influenced sound; and 2) Michael Hutchence's powerful vocals really elevate the sound of the band. "Shabooh Shoobah" is most reflective of this style. In fact, this is a style that would be the foundation for Inxs' music right through the end of the 1980s. This album contains 10 tracks - most of them are very short. In fact only one song, "Don't Change" is over 4 minutes long. All of the other songs range from 2:55 to 3:50 in length. The total length of the album is only 35+ minutes. It is surprising that this album didn't get more U.S. airplay since these songs were almost tailor made for the synth-pop dominated U.S. radio stations of the early 80s. You won't have very deep lyrics on "Shabooh Shoobah" - that will come later in Inxs' career.
Perhaps this sound is heard on the collection's most popular song "The One Thing". This song reflects all of the factors above: 1) The guitar and keyboard balance; 2) The infusion of the Sax Work; 3) Terrific Vocals by Michael Hutchence. This song has more a Classic Pop sound while many of the other tracks on this album have a stronger Punk and New-Wave influence. It is still a very catchy song and one that the fans who are more familiar with the "Kick" material will relate to.
The other song that is well known is the collection's final track, "Don't Change". There song does reflect more of the New-Wave (and Punk to a lesser extent) elements. This is a song that highlights some of the outstanding guitar work by Tim Farriss and Kirk Pengilly. This song definitely has a catchy beat.
The collection's second track, "To Look at You" is one of the more underrated tracks. Jon Farriss provides a steady drumbeat to open the song. Garry Gary Beers' Bass work can be heard nicely. This song has more of a keyboard influence - and again Hutchence rises to the occassion by providing some outstanding vocal ranges.
My favorite song on the collection is also an underrated song called "Golden Playpen". "Golden Playpen" has that nice fusion of the Punk and New-Wave elements that form a basis of Inxs' foundation. Pengilly's sax also compliments beautifully. The lyrics aren't deep, but they are amusing. "Golden Playpen" refers to either a nightclub or bar. The song starts out "I'm Drunk, Can't See My Glass". It also has a simple, but catchy chorus that goes "Tossed Out of the Golden Playpen, Beating the Drum of Pain and Pleasure". Hutchence's gregarious and free-wheeling style make this almost seem like a real experience that happened to him.
"Jan's Song" might be have some of the best lyrics. This song seems to be a cross between New-Wave and some supper club sounding music. Pengilly's saxophone will give this song a unique feel to it. There definitely seems to be a socio-political message in these lyrics when Hutchence sings "She says she wants the world to hear, her people's needs their basic rights".
Overall there is good depth to this collection. The only weak spot I found on this collection was "Spy of Love". All of the other songs were good: "Soul Mistake" has some more great Keyboard and Guitar work; "Here Comes" and "Black and White" contain some more Punk and New-Wave elements; "Old World New World" is a nice song - some of the sax work will sound very similar to a later song - "What You Need".
The liner notes contain all of the lyrics to all of the songs. The appropriate songwriting credits are listed for each member of the band. Overall I found this a very good CD. Core Inxs fans will not be disappointed. If you liked the popular Inxs stuff from "Kick" and "X", "Shabooh Shoobah" should easily satisfy. Overall, this is highly recommended.
|
|
|
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Shabooh-YAH, Baby!, November 7, 1999
Ah, Inxs. How we revered you. And then how we forgot you. This hidden gem, buried deep in the rubble and ruin of 80's hair & synth pop is, for my listening pleasure, one of the very finest rock albums of the 1980's. No filler, all grade A, first quality, prime rock cuts. From blazing opener The One Thing, to very Grand Finale of Don't Change, this is perhaps Inxs' finest moment (of the 80's). Perhaps only surpassed by their later album "Welcome," this is the Inxs fan's choice for 2nd best, always.
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
Kirk Pengilly shares his favorite music with Amazon customers. See all artists' picks on our Music You Should Hear page.
by INXS 
