INXS – X (vinyl reissue)

The difficult task of following your biggest album

The 1990 album is back on vinyl for the first time in 20 years thanks to Rhino’s Rocktober series.

X came three years after INXS’s 6x platinum album, Kick.  The recipe was to stick to the formula: pulsing synths and catchy guitars laid over funky rhythms, with Michael Hutchence’s sultry vocals over top.  There are a few surprises along the way, though.  Most notably, the blues harp sample courtesy of Charlie Musselwhite, who gives some much-needed grit to the slinky groove of “Suicide Blonde.”  The track really is a tour de force, complete with surf-infused guitar. 

“Disappear” rides on a shimmering groove, while “The Stairs” takes awhile to get going – it’s the kind of anthemic song that the Alarm might’ve done, but with more funk.  “Faith in Each Other” features a nice sax solo and background vocals, while “By My Side” is a decent ballad, but it’s actually too aggressive to hit the mark, the pounding chorus could use some restraint.

“Lately” reminds me of the band’s quirky, earlier work, it features a great hook and funky guitar.  “Who Pays the Price” has Musselwhite – this time, he’s really there (not a sample).  Hutchence really shines on the odd “Know the Difference.”  The pounding piano and horns fuel “Bitter Tears,” another single from the record.

“Hear the Sound” has a sing a long chorus and ends the album on a positive note.

While X didn’t soar to the same heights as the previous album, Kick, it still shows INXS at the top of their game.  —Tony Peters