Customer Reviews

The Swing

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Like the "music fan" from UK, I had this on cassette first and wore it out. I agree also that "Shabooh Shoobah" comes a close second to this. The followup to this, "Listen Like Thieves," was (I believe) INXS's first big introduction into the US (other than the big fans underground and through ear-of-mouth); I think that "The Swing," if it had instead been the band's big breakthrough release in the US, they'd have soared to higher levels than they did (not that they didn't too less than alright for 'emselves...). "The Swing" is a great romp; everything is danceable, hummable, playable over and over.... end to end. On occasion, "Original Sin" does get some airplay on LA stations, still... I hope people hear it thinking, "what's that from? I love that! I want more! " I love the transition before the beginning of "Burn For You." By the way, the video for "Burn For You" shows a plane taking off from Mackay, north Queensland... my ol' stomping grounds. I can see my old apartment building... and I choke up every time. Yes, I miss Michael. I still cannot believe he's not with us anymore. I am upset about the circumstances leading up to his death... I was never a fan of Geldof, and less so since Michael died. He is missed. For the curious, buy this album. You will not be disappointed. Especially "All The Voices." Turn that sucker all the way up at the end... the guitar fades off infinitely....

Vince

I've had this album for several years, and after much deliberation (as I love INXS so dearly and all of their albums) I've decided that this particular album is my favorite. In fact, it is my number one favorite album ever, but hey, I'm still young, so what do I know?

One cannot possibly be a true INXS fan without owning this album. It is so much fun and just rejuvenating to listen to, especially on those boring hot summer days (for some reason, it just reminds me of summer). The album is poppy, funky, and classical at times. It includes a wide palette of musical influences and diversity, so regardless of your genre preference (funk, new wave, alternative, rock, etc.), you are sure to enjoy this album. Michael Hutchence's vocals are soothing ("Johnson's Aeroplane"), powerful ("All the Voices"), and trademarkingly sultry and seductive ("Original Sin," "Burn for You") as most of his vocals are.

This album is brilliant from start to finish -- I have no other way to describe it. I wish I could write a better review for it as my review pales in comparison to most and does the album little justice, but I will leave you with this: any music fan should own this album over any other INXS album, though they are all great, really. Michael Hutchence's legacy lives on in all of INXS's masterpieces, most of which have gone regretfully unnoticed over the years. Do not pass this album by...

"The Swing" is, by far, my favorite INXS album. It was the first INXS album that I owned. I too wore out the tape from playing it too much.

In 1985 I attended an INXS concert at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. This concert was performed just months prior to the release of Listen Like Theives. Many of the songs that INXS performed in concert were from The Swing. I remember when INXS performed "Burn For You", you could have heard a pin drop when it was over and then there was applause. I was in awe. This was by far the most spiritual experience I've ever had at a rock 'n' roll concert. I've been to many since and nobody has matched the experience of INXS. While this album captures some of the energy that INXS had in concert, it's a close second to the real thing. It's regretable that Michael was taken from us too soon.

This is a great album, period. Buy it, you will not be disapointed.

The Swing is a somewhat left field album for INXS up until this time. I'm from the US, but it seems that European people might have understood this album more than here. Original Sin tells that tale of interracial love and all it's consequences in a "pop" song. This is still a topical song and subject if you get past the 1984 sounding melody and keyboards. Melting In The Sun has a very "Outback" feel to it. Strong drums and the lyrics always make me envision what the Austrailian Outback may look like. The Swing sounds a little reminiscent of "Let's Dance" by David Bowie. Synths and synth drums have me envisioning people in clubs dancing to this one. The title track, the Swing, seems to feature Daryl Hall (yes, that Daryl Hall of Hall and Oates) on backing vocals toward the end of the song. He was credited on the album. It also sounds partially like a Hall and Oates out-take. Johnson's Aeroplane has a violin beginning to it. It is very dreamlike and emotional in it's lyrics about a farmer's plight during a drought. Strong bass and "airplane soaring" guitar effects make this one a personal favorite. Love Is (What I Say) could have been another good mid-tempo ballad single if it were released in the US. Face The Change has a funk element to it and good wordplay in the lyrics, as if reversing phrases one after the other. It seques into Burn For You, which has good backing vocals with good tempo change. The female back up singers also add a good sound to it. All The Voices seems to feature the return of Daryl Hall to backing vocals. To me, it is slightly reminiscent of Hey Jude, with some calling and repeating towards the end. Fans of INXS and new fans will expect a great sensation for the ears and mind with this album. A great example of some music from 1984 and it seems to contain the better merits of new wave of the time. It has good textures and mixes some old and new sounds. This is the sound of INXS before the fame, before What You Need, KICK, and massive tours, etc. They were still expanding their craft and honing skills. In short, they were still having fun. Should be a great experience for those who have yet to hear this CD.

Although a very hard call, I would have to say this is the best INXS album. If you were a teenager in Australia in 1984 this was the soundtrack to your life. It entered the Australian charts at #1 and deservedly so. I would rate The Swing as one of the Top 25 albums of the decade. Every track is a classic, but particularly Original Sin, Burn For You, Johnson's Aeroplane and Love Is. It is simply the sound of Australia and the sound of the greatest ever Australian band. Like other reviewers have noted, The Swing caught INXS on the cusp of international fame while they were still experimenting with keyboard textures and refining their sound. Like David Bowie (Let's Dance)and Duran Duran (The Reflex), INXS had Nile Rodgers produce Original Sin with amazing results - this track still sounds fresh and innovative today. Whilst I would also rate Welcome To Wherever You Are and Shabooh Shoobah 5 stars - The Swing is the one. It rocks.

Inxs' third album, 1982's "Shabooh Shoobah" would put them on the map in Australia. Their follow-up album, 1984's "The Swing" would continue the upward momentum that this band was making. In a lot of ways, "Shabooh Shoobah" would demonstrate the outstanding vocal talents of Michael Hutchence. Hutchence showed some incredible vocals on songs such as "Don't Change", "Here Comes", and "The One Thing". While Hutchence's vocals don't lose a beat on "The Swing", what we do see is the emergence of Inxs as a complete band with all of the members stepping up.

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: 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. While in the later years with Hutchence, the songwriting duties would focus around Andrew Farriss and Hutchence - this album shows many of the members of Inxs making songwriting contributions.

I think Inxs' musical style can be considered an offshoot of the Punk and New-Wave movements of the late 1970s and early 1980s. 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. "The Swing" goes up a level more by showcasing some of the best work by bassist Garry Gary Beers, guitarist Tim Farriss, and drummer Jon Farriss - thus helping elevate this album to more of a complete effort by Inxs. At the same time, these contributions help deliver what might be a "raw" sound - but in a way, this "raw" sound captures the essence of Inxs. Inxs also adds a layer of experimentation (such as Funk) to this album making this one of their strongest collections. It is worth mentioning Beers' contributions - this is probably his strongest bass work he has delivered in his career.

Here is a song by song breakdown of the tracks:

"Original Sin": While not a household name in the U.S. yet, Inxs managed to recruit Nile Rodgers to produce and Daryl Hall to provide background vocals. Rodgers influence gives this a Funk sound. While this album has strengths on bass, guitars, and drums; one shouldn't forget Andrew Farriss is one great keyboard player as well as songwriter - and this track reflects it. I like how Hall's background vocals gel with Hutchence. Of course, Pengilly has a trademark sax solo at the end.

"Melting in the Sun": This song is all about Beers on the bass. He delivers a terrific bass track from start to finish - and works in perfect sync with Jon Farriss on drums. Very catchy hooks on this song.

"I Send a Message": Again we hear Beers' bass as the key to the track - working in conjunction with Jon's drumming. Beers and Tim Farriss deliver a great bridge mid-way through the song. This song demonstrates the "raw" sound.

"Dancing on the Jetty": As complete an Inxs song as I ever heard. The song sounds out with an orchestral-like beginning, then progresses into a Funk Rock (again showing experimentation) sound. Once again, the key is Beers bass working with Jon's drumming. However every member contributes - Tim's guitar, Andrew's guitar, Hutchence's vocals - and even Pengilly's saxophone (listen how he gels with Tim's guitar). This song is really what Inxs is all about. Great lyrics too as Inxs sings about world relations - (i.e. "watch the world argue; argue with itself").

"The Swing": Jon Farriss' drums open up this track - along with some mean guitar work. Not the strongest track on the album, but still pretty good.

"Johnson's Aeroplane": Beers' bass hits the money again. Hutchence works terrifically with the background vocalists. The keyboards and guitars almost bring a psychedelic quality to things. Pengilly has a terrific saxophone solo midway through the track.

"Love Is (What I Say)": Same comments as "Dancing on the Jetty". This song blew me away thanks to a complete team effort (minus the sax) - and once again is what Inxs is all about. Hutchence really shines on this track, but once again Beers' bass is on the money. Listen to how the guitar work jams just after the chorus.

"Face the Change": Terrific Funk-like track. Pengilly has his strongest sax solo on this track - delivered in a haunting manner.

"Burn for You": "Face the Change" has a nice segue into this track. This is more of pop-styled track. Andrew's keyboard work shines here, but perhaps the song's strongest point is the integration of a chorus for background vocals.

"All the Voices": Beers' bass gets one last chance to shine on another Funk-infused track. Definitely an experimental track. The percussion has almost an African sound toward the end. A very good song and a nice wrap up to a great album.

The one drawback of this collection is that there were not lyrics provided with the liner notes. Inxs has had a terrific career and certainly should be "Hall of Fame" material. If you have heard Inxs and have liked them, "The Swing" is the one album I would highly recommend you get for your collection.

After Shabooh Shoobah the momentum continues with this stellar album. Late 1983 Original Sin was released to whett our appetites for the forthcoming album. It does not disappoint with great singles, I send a message, burn for you, dancing on the jetty and Love is. The addition of "All The Voices" to the soundtrack of the Australian movie "Strikebound" was just another highlight to this album. INXS were on the cusp of international stardom having cut their teeth in Australia for 7 years and this album pushed them over the edge and rightly so. To date Original Sin is my favourite ever song and the shows they backed up with were spectacular. A must have for any fan and for those dabbling with their music, make sure this is the first of their albums you buy and you will not look back

The fourth album from INXS was, along with "Shabooh Shoobah," where they really began to explore their voice as a band. Nowhere is that more telling then in the lead song on the disc, the bittersweet tale of interracial romance "Original Sin." Causing more than a little controversy at the time of its 1984 release, it both celebrates love and shatters idealism, all in the context of Nile Rodgers' "Let's Dance" styled production. It was a bold move and was worthy of the attention it attracted.

But then, the band further experimented. In addition to the funky "Original Sin," there was the spacey "Johnson's Aeroplane" (which I thought, for years, was called "Japanese Garden"), the quirky "I Send A Message" and the soulful "Burn For You." It was still a mild mannered affair if you compare it to the harder rocking (and more popular) "Kick," but next to that breakthrough album, this is probably my favorite INXS album.

In my humble opinion, this is the best Inxs album, although Shabooh Shabah comes a close second. It's almost as though they were building up to the standard achieved on The Swing, but lost that elusive 'something' when they became popular worldwide. Other Inxs fans may not agree with me, but I feel as though Inxs compromised their style to appeal to the American market (in particular).

I bought The Swing on cassette when it first came out, and have since had to replace it with a CD as I literally played it to death. Fifteen years on, it still sounds fantatastic.

From start to finish, this album is a classic. Ever song is infectious and tells it's own story. Being from the U.S., this was released at a time that I was looking for something different than what Top 40 radio was dishing out. I wore this cassette out 3 times! Honest! Now that I have it on CD, it sounds like it was just recorded yesterday. If I was stranded on an island, The Swing would be in my top 5 CDs to be stranded with. Highly reccommended!