Michael Hutchence, INXS - Michael Hutchence

Michael Hutchence took a break from his day job as INXS's libidinous lead singer in 1995 to record his first solo album. He died a tabloid-exploited death in 1997, and a few years later, Black Grape producer Danny Saber and ex-Gang of Four guitarist Andy Gill picked up the recordings and finished the songs. So what happens when these producers take it upon themselves to speak for the dead? They give this album the Black Grape treatment by dipping the ballads and funk-pop tracks in multiple layers of trippy, reverberating keyboards and wah-wah guitars. When the effects work, such as on "Let Me Show You" and "Get On the Inside," Hutchence's personality is well matched to the soundscapes, igniting with the same fire Gill once lent to the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Other times, they cut too close to the tired bones of the chemically enhanced post-Manchester sound, robbing Hutchence of his intense sensuality. Obviously, the singer and his producers did not intend for this to be his musical epitaph, but such as it is, the album is too slick and commercially crass. It's hard to avoid foreshadowed readings of songs like "Don't Save Me from Myself" and "Possibilities," where he sings, "If you told me nothing's perfect / Hearts are broken, nothing's free / I could show you why it's worth it / That the way that it's meant to be." This second-rate Achtung, Baby will get more attention than it deserves because Hutchence is dead. It would have been a much more fitting tribute to the singer's legacy if the producers had allowed fans to simply hear the full power of his voice, unmasked by their own. --Beth Massa Amazon.com

loved it

I really loved this album, because it was what Michael was going for. It wasn't suppose to sound like INXS. I only wish that he could of done a solo tour that would make it even better. April 20, 2007

Some Top Notch Tracks

Right off the bat, the following tracks are gems:

- Flesh and Blood
- Possibilities
- Slide Away

Definitely worth a purchase for these tracks alone.
April 10, 2007

INXS fans must have this

The bittersweet factor of this album is enormous. Hutchence's persona, talent, and passion are so evident in all of the music he participated in. It is hard not to feel deep regret for him and his fans who are left to wonder what could have been. This solo album is a must for fans of INXS and especially for anybody who admires Hutchence's artistry. Not as pop sounding as some of INXS albums, but a definite solo territory where Hutchence was as might be expected, exploring his own darker reality at the time. That doesn't mean the whole album is dark but even if it was upbeat it would be darkened by the fact of it being his last recordings. I have read reviews that the production of the music was overdone but I didn't notice this particularly. What I notice more is that he along with any great artist taps into another world that was his own and which draws you in to experience it. I enjoy the album because it is the last chance to get inside the mind of a great artist who deserves a great legacy. Keep him alive. October 20, 2006

Oh the "Possibilities".

Let me start by saying I like it. However this is an album that was unfinished at the time Michael died, and therefore was finished by others, based on hopefully what they thought he wanted in the final product. We'll never know if this disc would have been different had Michael not passed, but what can you do. It's still good like I said. Many songs are very well done, and it may peak at the end, when Bono sings with Michael on "Slide Away". Of course, it's nearly impossible not to compare this with the music of INXS. When I do that I feel this is as good as one of their lesser albums, which they had few of. I mean, this is not the caliber of "Listen Like Thieves" or "Welcome To Wherever You Are". In the end there's many ways to view this album, I guess the best way is to love the songs, most of which meet expectations, and be happy Michael had a great life, and made such wonderful music for years. August 21, 2006

Excellent But have tissues handy and be Prepared to cry..!!

I was a Big Fan of Inxs and of Michael. "I Know nothing about the people I have touched" in possibilities is so touching and is one of the best songs on the album. I was too young to go out and actively support the band when they were here but now I am reliving the days. It really is turning into a right of passage for teenagers here today in Aus. Still today, If you are just passing a radio and a Inxs song is blaring ever person that you can see is either screaming along with them or looking sad and mournful murmuring the words to themselves.
I have started from their early works and have finished up with Michaels album. I think it is absolute brilliance and the world music industry has really lost a great talent. But if you are setting out on the Inxs voyage beware you really do have to go into Michael's album knowing it is not an Inxs album! It is Michaels and therefore is in a different category/ style. It does obviously have Michaels flare and talent demonstrated in Inxs and therefore does have some undertones of INXS in it but that's it for comparison. I love this deep moody album and I often play it before I go to bed but be careful because if you are a big hutch fan it really will make you cry if you listen to the lyrics to closely.
Although I do like Gill's work I think Bono's style in finishing up unlucky song number 13 Slide Away really is more fitting. Michael did work with Gill on most of the pieces but Bono's style lets you really hear Michael's raw sensual vocals allot more which Is what I really love.
It seems like a very personal album and hears more like diary entries that have been excellently mastered into songs.
This Album is defiantly on my top three but you do have to be warned I think it is a cd that if you do start playing religiously it will take you back to tears again screaming "why Michael? Why? all over again. If you are not a great Michael fan and you are just in it for the music it makes a great heavy soul sound but in the style of the early 90's tune. Although some songs have that great basic instrumentals sound under Michaels vocals which could easily be mistaken for being recorded today.
Miss you Michael.
May 15, 2006

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