Customer Reviews

Shine Like It Does - The Anthology (1979-1997)

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"Inxs - Shine Like it Does: The Anthology (1979-1997)" is the most comprehensive compilation of Inxs' portfolio of music that is available in a single package. Inxs is a band that rose to international stardom in the 1980s - producing some outstanding creative work. Although Inxs doesn't have a true "boxed set", this two disc compilation provides 42 tracks of Inxs music complete with rare tracks and a 60 page booklet that provides a wealth of information of the band.

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 in the songwriting. The 60-page booklet provides a terrific insight into the history and dynamics of the band and how they endured during this time.

I think Inxs' musical style can be considered an offshoot of the Punk and New-Wave movements of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Included on "Shine Like it Does" are two rare tracks "Simple Simon" and "We are the Vegetables" (both are later included on a rare compilation called INXSive") that demonstrate the band's roots in Punk and New-Wave. Inxs has always had their own unique style - incorporating funk, synth-pop, traditional rock, and even some R&B. As for the sound, they have done a great job at keeping up with the times when the music is released.. You will hear the band have a synth-pop influence in their early 80s work, then adopt a more guitar laden sound in their later work (in sync with the direction the music industry took in the late 80s).

On this collection, Inxs does something I really like- With Greatest Hits collections, I find that the best "Greatest Hits" and Anthology collections are ones that arrange the songs in chronological order. This allows me to see how an artist progresses over time. "Shine Like it Does" does this perfectly with no flaws. "Shine Like It Does" contains tracks from each of the 10 studio albums, "The Greatest Hits", and "Live Baby Live". It also contains soundtrack and single tracks. It is worth noting there are some less comprehensive Inxs compilations out there. The most popular of these is the "Inxs - The Greatest Hits" compilation. "Shine Like it Does" contains all of the songs (in one form or another) that are contained on "The Greatest Hits" with the exception of a new song they did for "The Greatest Hits" called "Deliver Me". There is another more recent, but less complete compilation called "The Best of Inxs". This compilation contains two unreleased tracks not on "Shine Like It Does" ("Salvation Jane" and "Tight) as well as the classic tune "By My Side"(that is not found on "Shine Like It Does").

Some quick notes:

-In addition to the early rare tracks ("Simple Simon" and "We are the Vegetables"), there is another early track called "The Loved One" (also on the "INXSive" compilation). There is a terrific later track that was not included on any album called "Let it Ride". This song features has a nice cross of acoustic work with some synthesizer work. Michael's voice ranges are as in top form on this track. Listen for the Hawaii-Five O like sax at the end.

-There are some single edits of songs. I am not a big fan of single edits (I much prefer to hear full versions). These songs are "To Look at You", "Need You Tonight", "Devil Inside", and "Elegantly Wasted".

-There are some remixes that are included - namely: "Black and White", "Burn for You", "Different World", "Not Enough Time", "Beautiful Girl", and "Searching". Some of the remixes are more obvious (namely "Black and White") while some are subtle ("Beautiful Girl"). The remixed version of "Searching" is terrific - completely blowing you away.

-There is a slower version of "Here Comes" ("Here Comes II"). This is a slower-tempo version from what was on "Shabooh Shoobah".

-There are two soundtrack songs. "Different World" is from the "Crocodile Dundee" soundtrack. "Good Times" is a cover of a song by The Easybeats. It was featured on "The Lost Boys" soundtrack and features Jimmy Barnes on lead vocals.

-I disappointed by the absence of two tracks - "By My Side" and "Mediate". To me if you are going to include "Need You Tonight", you must also include "Mediate".

-My favorite Inxs track is "The Stairs". This is probably the most powerful song done by the band. I was very pleased that the live version was included from "Live Baby Live" because this is even better than the studio version.

As mentioned, there is a terrific 60-page book included with the set. This includes a comprehensive biography of the band written by David Fricke. This is followed by track-by-track commentary by Andrew Farriss. There is also a detailed discography, list of credits, and snapshots of all of the Inxs Album Covers. Each CD is packaged in an individual cardboard case. The cardboard cases and book are then included in a sleeve. Overall, despite some of the quirks I mention - this is still a terrific collectible for either the Inxs fan - or someone looking to discover Inxs. This is highly recommended.

Ok, so I just reviewed the new Best of Compilation and thought I would include a quick review of this anthology because it really is better than the Best Of. You definitely get more for your money with this two disc set. It includes a nice booklet with some comments by the surviving band members. It also includes a couple of great oldies which are good for laughs like Simple Simon and We Are the Vegetables. They are by no means classics, but they give a good spot to reflect on the group then and the group at their end. As I've mentioned in the Best of Review, the lone setback is the missing Mediate. I always thought of Need You Tonight and Mediate as a Medley of Sorts, and it is a shame they are missing. However, compared to the original greatest hits, this is wonderful. It includes songs I felt were missing such as Disappear, Not Enough Time, Don't Change while adding some songs that give an interesting perspective, like Please (with Ray Charles). It also includes songs from their last album (Elegantly Wasted) which makes this album a nice perspective of INXS's complete career. I would definitely consider this album before either of the other single disc hits collections.

INXS released a greatest hits collection in 1994, but it failed to cover all of their albums. This collection is perfect for any INXS fan. It has at least one song from each album or EP and even includes some single and soundtrack releases. The two CD's show how the band changed with the music trends and the order of the songs serve as a timeline for popular music from the early 80's to the late 90's.
Their hits are of course included, but the lesser known songs really show how great this band was. As the first CD plays on you hear the band getting it together and into a good groove throughout the songs. The material made after Kick really stands out and proves that it was such a shame that people stop paying attention to the band in the 90's because they always made terrific music. You can feel overwhelmed and spoiled by all of the material.
The booklet is an added bonus that gives a history of the band and explains each song on the collection. By reading this you get a greater appreciation for the band. Overall this is one of the best collections of a band ever made and a fitting tribute to a great or way too often underrated band.

I've been an INXS fan for 20 years; from their humble beginnings on the pub/rock circuit in Sydney to their world domination in the late 80's - early 90's. I'm especially fond of the albums that stretched through the mid 80's: Shabooh Shoobah (1982); The Swing (1984) and Listen Like Thieves (1986).

Having experienced INXS first-hand live in concert a number of times and living through their albums, I simply recommend this package of INXS greatest songs over the other two: 'Greatest Hits' and 'The Best of INXS'.

This anthology contains all the tracks from their first two albums that are considered important; especially "Just Keep Walking" and "The Loved One" (which was later redone on the album Kick), which weren't included on the Greatest Hits CD. This is the equivalent of leaving off, say, "I Will Follow" on a U2's greatest hits album. I find that this CD covers the early 'New Wave' period of INXS much better than other compilations along with the period of the above-mentioned albums. For example, the Greatest Hits only begins from the album Shabooh Shoobah and also doesn't include INXS' best and most well-known song "Don't Change" from this album, whereas this anthology contains 5 tracks from Shabooh Shoobah. Also, 'The Swing' and 'Listen Like Thieves' are very well represented on this anthology; having no notable omissions.

The later albums are also covered well on this anthology with the only omissions being the single from 'X' "By My Side" and the second single from 'Welcome to Wherever You Are' "Baby Don't Cry". These two songs are not on the 'Greatest Hits' CD but 'The Best Of INXS' CD has "By My Side". Another possible inclusion could have been "Mediate" from 'Kick'.


To summarise:

From the album 'INXS': Just Keep Walking.

'Underneath the Colours': Stay Young.

(In Australia, the compilation titled "INXSive" contained the tracks Simple Simon, We are the Vegetables and The Loved One)

'Shabooh Shoobah': The One Thing; Don't Change; To Look At You; Black And White.

'The Swing': Original Sin; I Send A Message; Burn For You; Dancing On The Jetty.

'Listen Like Thieves': This Time; What You Need; Kiss The Dirt (Falling Down The Mountain); Listen Like Thieves; Shine Like It Does.

'Kick': Need You Tonight; Devil Inside; New Sensation; Never Tear Us Apart; Mystify; Kick.

'X': Suicide Blonde; Disappear; Bitter Tears; The Stairs (live).

'Welcome to Wherever You Are' Heaven Sent; Not Enough Time; Taste It; Beautiful Girl.

'Full Moon, Dirty Hearts': The Gift; Please (you got that...) with Ray Charles.

'Elegently Wasted': Elegently Wasted; Don't Lose Your Head; Searching.


The best things about this anthology are the inclusion of one-off non-album songs like "Good Times" (with Jimmy Barnes - from the soundtrack to The Lost Boys) and the fact that all albums are represented here and in order, unlike the other two packages. The Greatest Hits starts a few albums in and The Best of INXS doesn't cover their career well enough and tries to hide this through the order of the songs, and neither provide the single songs that add to the catalogue. Despite the remixes, etc, this is THE definitive INXS collection.

I have, "Listen Like Thieves" on vinyl. I liked that album. I used to listen to INXS on the radio and have watched their videos, yet never got "into them" more than that.

I'm happy having, "Shine Like It Does". It brings back memories of listening to them on the radio in the car. I also really appreciate their earlier work. I'm impressed by it. It's all good.

If you are new to INXS or are re-introducing yourself to the band, this anthology will do nicely.

M. Hutchence - R.I.P.

P.S. - If anyone is ever suicidal, get help by calling a helpline or talking to someone (a friend, a relative or even a stranger).

We are often lonely, yet never alone.

I have owned this anthology for almost 4 years now, one of the best music buys I have made in the last 5 years. Being a big fan of INXS since the late 80's but just owning Kick, X, their live CD and their Greatest Hits, this gave me a broader vision of all their music and I am really glad to have had the opportunity to do just that. Since then I have collected more of their CD's so I have even more. But this is ideal for INXS fans who are more than casual fans and want more of what they have to offer without having to buy all of their CDs, which by the way wouldn't be a bad move either. My personal favorites on this set are The One Thing, I Send a Message, Burn for You, Kiss the Dirt, Disappear, Bitter Tears, Taste It, Beautiful Girl, The Strangest Party and Elegantly Wasted. Although there are over 40 songs on here from the very early days to their last album in 1997. The very first song, Simple Simon is a fun song to listen to.

INXS surely deserves this 2 disc compilation, after all their career spanned almost 20 years at the time of Michael Hutchence's death, which in itself is a real shame. How I wish he was still with us. This anthology is dedicated to him, and there is a nice booklet containing the story of INXS told by the band members themselves to a journalist who was writing a review which is an interesting read. There are also little snippets of information about each song, plus lots of pictures of the band, including some early ones that are fun to see. All in all, if you are a fan of INXS, casual or big, get this collection, it's about as complete as it gets.

The INXS "Anthology" is a blistering chronicle of a band that was full of talent and style but sadly their streak ended with sadness and tragedy. Here is a chance for people unfamiliar with the music to really indulge in it, so they can see what all the fuss was about and realize that there is more to this group than just the tragic story of lead singer Michael Hutchence, a stunning vocalist dripping with Jim Morrison meets Mick Jagger charisma who went down the road of excess and died all too young in an apparent suicide in 1997. Another dogging element is the fact that many people have kept INXS in the 80's, indeed this is the decade in which they flourished and for a time were just as known as U2, but this is very lush, exciting rock n' roll that has aged very well, maybe now that the band has a reality show (which is really more of an excuse to finally fill Hutchence's spot and get known again) people will re-discover INXS instead of just seeing them as a form of nostalgia. "Shine Like It Does" compiles the best INXS had to offer in terms of danceable and romantic tunes that dripped with lust and glamour, it is a testament to a post-Nirvana world many still remember from their high school days. Songs like "Suicide Blond" with it's hybrid blues sound and "New Sensation" are feverish and driven. The smash hit "Need You Tonight" is still seductive with Hutchence showing off his rich, deep voice. While "Need You Tonight" is pretty much about carnal delights, "Mystify" is romantic and highly emotional. The same goes for "Never Tear Us Apart," which Bono would incorporate into U2 shows as a tribute to his fallen friend. When INXS fell from their peak, mostly due to Hutchence's personal declines with drugs, depression and an accident that left him severely handicapped in the senses, their material was scoffed at. But now we can appreciate songs from their 1997 release "Elegantly Wasted," the title track itself is exhilarating and stylish. The production of the songs is flawless and one of the reasons the music doesn't sound dated is because it's so slick and well-arranged. Even the synthesizers are played with skill, a prologue to the darker, more violent techno ecstacies of Nine Inch Nails. In fact, you could compare INXS to NIN in the sense that their music has an electronic edge but it's done in a way where it doesn't feel dated. "Shine Like It Does" is the perfect album for fans of the band and newcomers to explore as the surviving members' reality show goes into high gear and everyone waits to see who will front the band. But their classic material already secures their reputation, a point this collection proves all too well.

I actually had this double CD on my wishlist for several months before the Rockstar TV show came out. The publicity around the show served as a gentle reminder to purchase this. This release spans the entire career of INXS, from a small time Australian band through worldwide stardom.

Because this release spans 20 years, there were many songs that were perhaps popular down under or in Europe but were never heard within the US. This includes songs like the Ray Charles duet late in their career as well songs from their early pub days. Personally, I would have liked to see Mediate and Calling All Nations from the Kick album included instead of Mystify and Kick. Beyond this, this is one of the best career spanning CDs. Despite having X on CD and Listen Like Thieves on album, I'd forgotten how much I liked INXS.

If your interested in the history of INXS, there's a bonus booklet that sheds light on the origin and history of the band as well as background on each song.

I can't quite give the CD 5 stars but giving 'Shine Like It Does' 4 stars seems to be a bit of an injustice. If there was a half star option, I'd give this CD 4 1/2 stars.

This 2 CD anthology is by far superior to the single disc greatest hits compliations of INXS if you are Searching for a comprehensive overview of the awesome Aussie band - but if you feel that there is Not Enough Time to listen to two fully packed CDS and all you're looking for are the radio hits, Don't Lose Your Head over this set - Just Keep Walking and stick to those cheaper offerings.

Okay - enough playing on song titles - this is the place to start for a general introduction to INXS - it covers in chronological order 42 of their best - including fan favorites that didn't get the radio airplay. While INXS ruled the airwaves in the late 80s, some of their best songs missed the charts, and therefore, missed the other greatest hits compliations.

But what if you already own all of the INXS back catalogue? Should dedicated fans shell out their hard earned cash for the few extra tracks or alternate versions? These single edits are not all that different than the album versions, and might not justify the purchase.

Nonetheless, hardcore fans may want the anthology for the 60+ page booklet alone. The booklet contains a lengthy essay by David Fricke, insightful track by track commentary from Andrew Farriss, chart information of each track (for both the Australian and United States music charts), and photos galore.

Still, it may be more attractive to fans had it included previously unreleased material as bonus tracks, such as the bonus tracks to be included on the remastered versions of the various albums to be released in mid-September of 2002.

There seems to be no excess of record company greed.

This is a pretty comprehensive round-up of the band's history, including all the early Aussie hits, the massive world-wide smashes and everything in between. If you only know INXS for their late eighties material, then you should listen to the earlier tracks on this collection. "Simple Simon", "Just Keep Walking" and "Black and White" were all roller skating rink faves from the early eighties.
Then came the big synth-rock sound of "Don't Change", "The One Thing" (Shaboo Shabah) and the polished funk of "I Send a Message" and "Original Sin" (The Swing) and suddenly the group were the biggest thing down under since sliced bread. And well, the rest is history - world domination and monster hits like "Need You Tonight" and "Suicide Blonde". I have to admit, I started to get a bit tired of the band around this stage, but in retrospect the quality of each single didn't realy deteriorate until the mid nineties, which is a pretty fair effort.
This is a much more satisfying collection than the mid nineties "Best of" release, purely for the inclusion of great tracks like "To Look at You" and "Shine Like it Does". This double Cd would make an excellent addition to any music fan's CD tower and no doubt, that's where it will end up - and rightly so!