REVIEW: INXS, Full Moon, Dirty Hearts
- Bob Gajarsky
The recent release of INXS' Full Moon, Dirty Hearts, the band's 10th album, elicited comments of "ANOTHER INXS album?" In an era where it is commonplace for an act to take two years off before producing a mediocre record, INXS have produced an album a year with no weak tracks. The latest release is no exception.
The first single, "The Gift", features a distorted bass line behind lead singer Michael Hutchence's voice. Surprisingly, this is not even near the best track on the album, nor the most unique.
Those honors belong to tracks that include people other than INXS. "Please (You Got That...)", which features Ray Charles on co-lead vocals, is the band's acknowledgement of the power of R&B and Motown. This song is what Michael Jackson and Mick Jagger wished "State of Shock" could have been, and that is meant only as a compliment for the boys from down under.
Chrissie Hynde is the other guest vocalist, and she is featured on the title track. This bluesy track is different than the usual INXS material, but comes off without a hitch.
INXS continue to tastefully explore their own musical limits without venturing into poor-sounding territory. "Cut Your Roses Down" features a soul twist, some horns, and the classic INXS guitar sound. This track epitomizes the sound that INXS target. Andrew Farriss, one of the writing forces behind most of this album, explains: "Having started out in the late 70's, we think it's funny that punk music and disco are so hip and groovy now. That's what we've always been; INXS are raw guitar and dance music together."
"Time", a probable second single, resembles the song "Kick" (from the album of the same name), but with a more refined sound to it. The poignant ballad, "Kill The Pain", will never be mistaken for a single but eerily provides the band with another killer (no pun intended) track. And, the final track, "Viking Juice", has Hutchence reading poetry to a soul feel. Brass stabs and a manic sense of urgency surround this track.
INXS have not put out a bad album in the last 10 years. Better than either of their last two albums,_Full Moon, Dirty Hearts continues this band's trend of solid albums from beginning to end.
