Customer Reviews

X

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1987's "Kick" would prove to be an International breakthrough for the Australian band, Inxs. In addition to being a commercial success - it also had some of the band's most creative work. Now the bar would be raised high for Inxs to make a follow-up. Thus in 1990, Inxs would release their seventh studio album - simply titled "X". In some ways "X" picks up where "Kick" left off. "X" brings back producer Chris Thomas who did an outstanding job with "Kick". Some of the tracks on "X" will prove to be some of the strongest material the band has done to date. Other tracks, while still good will prove to fall short because "Kick" set the bar high.

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. Like on the "Kick" album, the majority of the songs are written by Hutchence and Andrew Farriss (9 of the 11 tracks were the combination of this duo).

I think Inxs' musical style can be considered an offshoot of the Punk and New-Wave movements of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Early in their careers, they definitely fit in with the synth-pop movement of the early 1980s. When "Kick" was released, one of its strengths was to incorporate some more traditional Rock sounds into their portfolio - particularly with the use of Guitars. To some extent, this fit in with the transition of the 80s music landscape from synth-pop to guitar laden sounds - although on "X", Inxs did not transition the guitar sound to a complete extreme. "X" continues the formula that worked for "Kick" - incorporating a Rock sound while still keeping to their some of their New Wave roots. Inxs also explores some new territory by introducing harmonica into two songs. One other difference I would make between "Kick" and "X" is that "X" has a bit of darker, haunting quality.

As mentioned above, there is some very strong material on this album. Perhaps the strongest track on this collection is "The Stairs". This could be one of the most underrated songs of all time. This is a complete effort by the band with all members fully contributing. This song is also very intense from a lyrical standpoint - combine it with the outstanding musicianship and it takes on a "3 dimensional" effect. For starters, this song has one of the greatest instrumental introductions of all time - the first 1:40 of instrumentals set the tone for the intense vocals of Michael Hutchence. You'll hear all of the instruments in full force as they slowly build up during that intro.. Once Michael's vocals come on - they truly take center stage. Most people know of Michael's tragic suicide in 1997. The song has a bit of a haunting feeling when you hear it now - especially with the lyrics "The nature of your tragedy is chained around your neck... There are reasons here to give your life".

There are other songs that are very strong. Songs like "By My Side", "Lately", and "Hear That Sound" are as good as any song by Inxs. The music and lyrics in "By My Side" does have that haunting quality. This was a song written by Andrew, Kirk, and producer Chris Thomas. Andrew's keyboard is very strong throughout this tune. Michael also demonstrates powerful vocals on that track. Michael also shows some of the best vocal ranges he has ever shown on "Lately". "Lately" features some great guitar and bass work as well. "Hear That Sound" is a track that will take a little while to get into, but it will grow on you. The chorus has almost a "jam" feel with the whole band as Michael sings "Hear that Sound".

Also worth mentioning is "Bitter Tears". With it's "jamming" qualities, this song will also slowly grow on you. The two singles that were released are good tracks as well. These songs also reflect Inxs' New Wave roots very well. "Disappear" is probably the better of the two. The harmonies that open the song are excellent. The guitar work is outstanding on the chorus. The haunting quality is referenced in the lyrics in terms of "pain and suffering". The other single was "Suicide Blonde". The title alone gives this song a haunting feel. Kirk's trademark Saxaphone is featured in this song.

The other songs are good - I wouldn't say there are any lemons, but they aren't as good as the ones mentioned. It is worth noting that the harmonica sound on "Who Pays the Price" and "On My Way" deserves some credit, but it doesn't elevate those songs to the level of the ones above. All of the lyrics are included, but like "Kick" are in a compressed fashion with multiple lines of the lyrics on a single line - makes it difficult to read. The liner notes fold out - as to make one side a poster of the band. While this song may have some of Inxs' strongest tracks, top to bottom it doesn't have the depth of "Kick". It still is an excellent collection - highly recommended.

INXS were coming off a massive high before this album got underway. "Kick" was one of the biggest albums of the year, they had their first American number one single and had polished off a world tour that was successful beyond their wildest dreams. The demands on the band weighed in heavy - everything had to be bigger and more amazing than before. It made "X" an album that couldn't possibly live up to anyone's expectations.

The band was also obviously aware of their position. Many of the songs on "X" sound over-thought out. Only the initial single sounds at all spontaneous, with Charlie Musselwhite's killer harmonica riff elevating "Suicide Blonde" to a classic. And the catchy "doo doo doo" chorus on "Disappear" made that song a worthy single as well. But then the songs begin to lose steam. "Bitter Tears" and "By My Side" hold up the best, but the "Kick" factor is literally not there.

That having been said, "X" is still a very satisfying listen. Had this been that album before "Kick" and after "Listen Like Thieves," I doubt it would get the bad rap it often gets. They explored some funky sounds here ("Bitter Tears" and "Who Pays The Price") that would have also made strong singles. Micael Hutchence is one of rock's all time great frontmen, and I've always been a sucker for Kirk Pengilly's sax riffs. While this would not be my first choice for an INXS purchase, I still recommend "X" to fans of the band's style of rock.

If you are a fan of INXS, even slightly, you'll love X. Virtually every song is excellent. This album, along with INXS's 1992 release "Welcome to wherever you are" are to INXS fans what U2's "Achtung Baby" and "The Joshua Tree" are to their fans. Michael Hutchence and Andrew Farriss come through once again with an album full of wonderfully written and composed tracks. Jon Farriss was as good as ever on drums as well. Sadly, Michael is no longer with us. When listening to X, you'll be reminded of just how much the world lost on November 22, 1997.

"X" is, in my opinion, the last great INXS album with that classic INXS sound. I didn't buy it until 10 years after it's release. Why? I don't know. I'm glad I finally did because it's much better than I expected it to be. It wasn't as big a hit as some of their other "classics," such as "The Swing," "Listen Like Thieves," or "Kick," but it is just as good as all of them. I know it had some minor hits, but "X" is a classic album that never really became classic. If you like INXS at all, buy "X." You won't regret it.

On the heels of Kick one can only imagine the pressure to keep that momentum rolling and as usual INXS more than met the challenge. I stated in another review that although I thought Kick was a decent record, was just a bit too stripped down for my liking. I understood why it was so popular and was very happy to see INXS get the accolades they long deserved but I was hoping for a larger sound. Enter "X". They took everything good about Kick and made the sound larger with great layers of synths and powerful guitar chords.
In my mind INXS has not made a bad record. Very few bands can make that claim. X is a perfect example of a great band on top of the world not sitting on their success and just going through the motions. They made an even better record than the one that made them chart-toppers. From the first few seconds of "Suicide Blonde" I could tell that this was going to be a disc that stays in the car changer for good. This record is overflowing with great melodies, pulsing tempos and outstanding production. It is obvious why Chris Thomas won a Brit award for his work on this record.

Some of the best tunes on this disc are Suicide Blonde, The Stairs, Faith in Each Other, Lately and Who Pays the Price. This remastered cd also has some great unreleased material on them that are the demos that Andrew Fariss recorded of Salvation Jane and Who Pays the Price.

Any fan of the more alternative side of pop/rock can not go wrong with this album. It is a keeper.

I purchased this Inxs' album when it was released because I liked a lot the single "Disappear"that climbed the Hot 100 'till to number 8;i was very surprised to discover that many songs were good as the single i prefered."Lately" is a pop tune with a great chorus,"Hear that sound" is a contagious classic Inxs'song,"By my side" is a tender love song" and "Bitter tears" is a semi-rock song that makes you stand up and move.I was very sorry at the new of Michael Hutchence's death;I always thought he was one of the most charismatic singer in the pop-rock music.

This is one of my road trip CDs, I always make sure to have this one in the car with me. All the songs are good and listenable but my personal favorite is Faith in Each Other, it sends a positive message and I like the music and the lyrics. In a way it doesn't sound like your typical INXS song, but I enjoy it nonetheless. Other favorites include Know the Difference, Lately, Hear that Sound, Bitter Tears and Disappear which I think is one of the best songs INXS has ever recorded.

This is my favorite INXS CD, while it's pretty hard to top Kick which I also really enjoy, for some reason this one is always the one I reach for. It's hard to believe that it's 16 years old, seems like it was just yesterday that I first heard these songs. This one may not have been as successful as Kick, but I think it is just as good if not better.

When I first started listening to INXS (Thanks to my library buying "Shine Like It Does: The Anthology (1979-1997)" around 2003 I didn't really care for them because I was growning out of old "Horrible, Bad" ones and into new ones. When I first bought X around sometime in 2004 it was one of my first INXS albums (Thanks to the discount section at Record And Tape Traders In Westminster "Home of The Ravens Training Camp At McDaniel College"). Let me just say that the first time I heard this album I loved it, I probably already knew that this would be my favorite INXS album (It would be hard to beat). Also I was and still am shocked that this album is so/still neglected (Even somewhat by INXS or ex-INXS fans), probably even more because today's music is mostly absolute garbage and most people have lost focus on what good music really is or even what music should sound like. I like any other good music (My second favorite album ever is "Pet Sounds" by "The Beach Boys" and yes, Depeche Mode is the only artist that makes three albums that have no filler at all that I like/own). If you know people who don't know who INXS is, then switch them on to them (For the love of Michael R.I.P. 1960-1997). Now for the songs on this album, there is no filler at "All" on this album, all the songs are the best they can be. Even though all of them could not have been singles, for me there is no top track on this album (Suicide Blonde, Disappear, The Stairs, Faith In Each Other, By My Side, Lately, Who Pays The Price, Know The Difference, Bitter Tears, On My Way, Hear That Sound) all of them sound great. Also my opinion is that this album should have done better than, yes "Kick" (Yes honestly Kick had some filler on it and X is more poppy sounding in a great mature way than "Kick", also don't get me wrong though "Kick" was a wonderful album that finally got INXS known internationally). The song "The Stairs" was probably the best song on the album, that should have been another hit single (There was a video and an import single made for it though). "X" is such a great album I had to buy the 2002 reissue and eventually the English vinyl LP. Oh, yeah how could I forget the bonus tracks, of course they make the album even better and worth buying this version. I more than highly recommended this album if you don't own it yet.

X is an elegant follow-up to their multi-platinum album KICK.
X was a Billboard Top 10 Album. It went double-platinum, and it debuted at #2 in the UK and #1 in Australia.
Suicide Blonde and Disappear were both Top 10 hits in the U.S.
While Suicide Blonde is one of their funkiest, sexiest songs ever, there's something special about Disappear. The song is simple. It isn't a complex or intricately-written song, but there's something about it.
[Three of the songs from this album (Suicide Blonde, On My Way, and Disappear) were featured prominently in the soundtrack for the 1991 Ethan Hawke flick, Mystery Date. Disappear was the love theme and the film closer.]
The Stairs is a beautiful song that was a very important recording for INXS.
By My Side is excellent. It recalls to me the dark elegance of Never Tear Us Apart.
Lately is a sexy slow-rocker that rocks, and Who Pays The Price is also a great song -- one of my favorites.
Bitter Tears is another one of my INXS favorites, On My Way is terrific, and Hear That Sound is a great track and a nice ending for the album.
This album is their best studio release.
X is more cohesive than any of their other records. Seamlessly, the album blends Rock and R&B as INXS have always done, but on this album, the energy and moods are more congruent, and the grooves are more solid than ever.
X is greater than the sum of its own parts. It serves to illuminate and immortalize the magnitude of the band's appeal.
This is the defining INXS album.
X
I N X S
MICHAEL HUTCHENCE (1960 - 1997) vocals
ANDREW FARRISS pianos/guitar
TIM FARRISS guitars
KIRK PENGILLY guitar/vocals/sax
GARRY GARY BEERS bass
JON FARRISS drums

INXS..."the 80's band". I DON'T WANNA HEAR IT ANYMORE ! INXS has been reinventing themselves since their first LP. This album consists of some of the best hits that were never hits. "the stairs" has to be one of the greatest INXS songs of all time. so much warmth in Michael's voice and so much gold in those lyrics. it gives me inspiration every time i hear it. there's the 'pop' songs on here like "know the difference" and "lately" but they're still great songs and very entertaining. on top of all those stands "who pays the price" and "bitter tears" which shine over the album. Michael's vocals on "bitter tears" is just haunting. then the closer "hear that sound" is a great song but i perfer the live version off Live Baby Live. just wanted to let all of you know that INXS will live on forever. and this album is one of the reasons.