I’m currently on an INXS kick.

I like to pick a band and listen to their discography. Sometimes I pick bands that I know well. Other times it’s bands where I know one or two of their greatest hits. Sometimes it’s a band that is popular, that I know absolutely nothing about. There’s no rhyme or reason to it. I have a running list of artists to choose from and am always adding to it.

Right now, it’s INXS, and this particular conversation started on FB. I thought it would be fun to flesh it out a bit more, here on my blog.

As a general rule, I stick with studio albums and I tend to start at the beginning. INXS is a band that I know well, and so I started with their final studio album with Michael Hutchence (MH) on vocals. I think there were two more releases after his death and I have no interest in them.

INXS was founded in 1977, in Sydney, Australia. Throughout the 1980’s, they dominated radio and MTV, album, cassette, and CD sales. 1981 and 1983 were the only two years that they weren’t nominated for a musical accolade that decade. They toured every year, from 1980 to 1989. I think their work ethic in the 80’s earned them the respect that they got in the 90’s. I wouldn’t say that they faded away exactly, but Wasted proved their relevance and staying power.

INXS, 1980. You can hear sounds of INXS, but it’s super poppy and they can’t decide if they’re punk or Adam Ant. Though, Adam Ant had that problem too. This is NOT a good album.

Underneath The Colors, 1981. This album has a whole different tone when it opens. It’s still too poppy, especially on top of these darker sounds. But, it’s like hearing a new band. This album is not terrible.

Shabooh Shoobah, 1982. THIS is INXS. JFC, this album is a masterpiece. I can listen to this album from start to finish and not skip a single song. I could really just stop listening to INXS right here, and short of Wasted I’d be fine. I don’t think either of the first two albums hold a song that anyone recognizes. Chances are good, though, you probably heard “The One Thing” (the guitar on this is delightful) or “To Look At You.” “Spy of Love” is fun. All the songs on this album are creative, the vocals are clear, the band sounds like it’s having a great time. This album is fucking magnificent.

The Swing, 1984. First off: can you imagine how much these guys had to tour in these first 4 years?? With that, I think they sound tired on this album. You’d probably recognize “Original Sin” and “I Send A Message.” This album is meh. Side note: MH did not make good hair choices in 1984.

Listen Like Thieves, 1985. “Kiss The Dirt” is on this one. I feel like there’s so much growth in this song. This album opens like a continuation of The Swing and then comes “Kiss The Dirt” and I feel like the tone of this album changes, except that it goes back to sounding like a continuation of The Swing. “Listen Like Thieves” isn’t terrible, it has a fun hook. This album is ok.

Kick, 1987. I feel like “New Sensation” is the gem on this one. Their sound has changed a little bit on this album. This album is ok.

X, 1990. There’s a break! Three years between albums. “Suicide Blonde” is so fucking good. And that’s about all that’s good on that album.

Welcome to Wherever You Are, 1992. LOVE how this album opens! “Not Enough Time” is beautiful. This album sounds playful. Lots of new sounds for them on this one. This album is ok.

Full Moon, 1993. I don’t feel this album is anything. I don’t think it’s a good album.

Elegantly Wasted, 1997. I can’t decide which album is better, SS or Wasted. They are both brilliant. The title song of the album, “Elegantly Wasted” is my favorite. “Everything,” “Don’t Lose Your Head,” and “She Is Rising” are also highlights. MH purrs and whines with renewed sexual prowess. He sounds relaxed and comfortable. The band sounds fresh. Released in April, MH would be dead by late November. You don’t hear that coming on this album. I think maybe that’s some of what made his death all the more shocking.

Overall, I don’t think INXS has a solid discography. They have more dull music than good. But, when they did it right, they really fucking killed it. Despite a lame discography, INXS is one of my favorite bands. It’s a shame that it all ended on such a sad note; I was excited to see what they would do next.