When I was a teen in the mid to late ’80’s, some of my favorite music was then considered New Wave or Alternative, before they hit mainstream top 40 radio. Some of the bands included the likes of Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, U2, Crowded House and INXS. In 1987, INXS came out with KICK. It was an album that drew in even my diehard dance music and rock music friends.
INXS
The front man of INXS was singer Michael Hutchence, who sadly passed away Nov.7, 1997. He was backed by Andrew Farriss on keyboards and guitars; guitarist Tim Farriss; drummer and percussionist Jon Farriss; bassist Garry Gary Beers; and Kirk Pengilly on guitars, saxophones and vocals. More info on the band INXS and track samples can be found at https://inxs.com.
Track listing
GUNS IN THE SKY (2:20)
NEW SENSATION (3:39)
DEVIL INSIDE (5:11)
NEED YOU TONIGHT (3:04)
MEDIATE (2:32)
THE LOVED ONE (3:25)
WILD LIFE (3:07)
NEVER TEAR US APART (3:02)
MYSTIFY (3:15)
KICK (3:13)
CALLING ALL NATIONS (3:00)
TINY DAGGERS (3.29)
My reasons for buying KICK
Well, I really liked their music and still do. The main reasons I bought KICK were Never Tear Us Apart, New Sensation, KICK Mystify and Need You Tonight which is also the lead in to Mediate. All of these songs played a major part in my buying the whole album. I love strong rhythms with heavy beats and a good vocal, and these songs have it all. Most of these songs had major airplay on radio and MTV, sometimes to the point of overkill, but I still cherish them. It was the combination of the music and Michael’s strong and sometimes sexy voice that lured me in.
As I listened more to the album, Guns In The Sky and Calling All Nations grew on me. They were rarely played in our area on the radio but I still liked them.
What’s left
While the remaining songs, are not usually on my play list, they are still good, just not for me. Devil Inside was an enormous MTV hit, for some reason, I was never crazy about it. The Loved One, Wild Life and Tiny Daggers didn’t get airplay and never grew on me either.
Finally
I think having 8 great songs out of 12 songs on one album is a pretty remarkable feat. I hate buying a CD now for only a couple of decent songs, which is why when my vinyl album eventually melted, I had no hesitation in buying this CD. I recommend KICK to others who enjoy INXS like I do.