Worth Another Listen INXS Part 5

As I said in the earlier post, Kick was released in 1987, following up on the success of Listen Like Thieves. Michael Hutchence, Garry Gary Beers, Andrew Farriss, Jon Farriss, Tim Farriss and Kirk Pengilly were on top of their game, playing hard and sweet, while certainly registering their own sexuality in the mix. They already had chart toppers with Need You Tonight/Mediate, Devil Inside and New Sensation, but this album was far from quiet.

The fourth single off Kick was Never Tear Us Apart, which topped out at #7 the Billboard Single chart, but went to #5 on the Rock Single Chart.



All along, INXS had a reputation for being an amazing live act, putting on great shows in their native Australia that were legendary, and soon bringing that same excitement to stages across the world as their popularity grew. The next single was Kick, another rocker that reminded me the term rock and roll was originally a euphemism for sex, cause the rock songs were bold and sexy songs, especially with Michael Hutchence taking the lead.



Mystify was the sixth single released, and it went top 20 on the Billboard Rock charts, completing the sweep of 6 of the 12 songs on Kick making the Billboard charts in the US. Mystify mixed a bit of the blues in with the rock to make the single a strong one.



At this point, INXS was ruling the airwaves, putting out great music that was being played in the clubs and on Rock radio. You can find out more about INXS at the official website here.

Worth Another Listen INXS Part 4

The album Kick was released in 1987, following up on the success of Listen Like Thieves. It was every bit as bold, and lead singer Michael Hutchence flexed his sexuality even more, if that was possible. His swagger and confidence was just so great, both while singing and dancing. Make no mistake, Hutchence was not there on his own, as bandmates Garry Gary Beers, Andrew Farriss, Jon Farriss, Tim Farriss and Kirk Pengilly were on top of their game, playing hard and sweet, while certainly registering their own sexuality in the mix.

The first single off Kick was Need You Tonight/Mediate. The song brilliantly ranged form sexy whisper to a shouting chorus defining the need for sex tonight, all played over a driving guitar and bass line. Need You Tonight segues into Mediate, a hypnotic near-chant with a driving beat and the jazz-horns pointing out the need for 'sex ornate' and to 'liberate.' The song topped the US Billboard charts, and the video played non-stop on MTV[back when it played music].



Next out was Devil Inside, and both the song and video explores the predatory nature of looking for sex, and how those on the prowl handle the devil inside, and how the world looks on it all. This one fell a little short, topping out #2 on the Billboard charts, keeping INXS in the forefront of the music scene.



Next out was New Sensation, a more ball-out rocker that let the boys cut loose. The video reminded us they were a good-looking bunch of Aussie lads, all having a great time playing fantastic music. New Sensation made it to #3 on the US charts, still making INXS a strong force in music.



Kick had enough great songs and hits to warrant another installment for the Kick album, coming soon. You can find out more about INXS at the official website here.