The original 11-song album remastered with 5 bonus tracks including the non-LP single side 'Deepest Red' and the previously unreleased 'Waiting To Be Free', 'Salvation Jane' (demo), 'Who Pays The Price' (demo) and 'Dark of Night' (demo). Atlantic/Rhino. 2002. Album Description
 |  | X Remastered improves on perfection |  |
The original relaese of X was pretty much a perfect (albeit extremely underrated) album. However the remastered re-release is even better. Better sound quality and the bonus tracks are excellent. Considering they have never been previously relaeased I would urge any true fan of INXS to get your hands on a copy of this version ASAP.
June 16, 2008Back in 1990, the 80's were behind us and the 90's were on the horizon. it was a period of transition musically, as genres were being combined to create new sounds. it was also the year before lollapalooza, raves going mainstream and grunge breaking.
it was a simpler time.
Having the multi-platinum worldwide smash that was "Kick", inxs had some big expectations to live up to. They do so with "X", though not as popular as "Kick" it still had some gems, in particular "Disappear" "Bitter Tears".
this album showcases a band in transition as they were changing their sound. All in all this is a good album form a band that stood apart from their contemporaries. it was during this tour that they established themselves as one of the best live bands.
January 7, 2008| | | Probably My Favorite All-Time Album Ever, So Far At Least | |
When I first started listening to INXS (Thanks to my library buying "Shine Like It Does: The Anthology (1979-1997)" around 2003 I didn't really care for them because I was growning out of old "Horrible, Bad" ones and into new ones. When I first bought X around sometime in 2004 it was one of my first INXS albums (Thanks to the discount section at Record And Tape Traders In Westminster "Home of The Ravens Training Camp At McDaniel College"). Let me just say that the first time I heard this album I loved it, I probably already knew that this would be my favorite INXS album (It would be hard to beat). Also I was and still am shocked that this album is so/still neglected (Even somewhat by INXS or ex-INXS fans), probably even more because today's music is mostly absolute garbage and most people have lost focus on what good music really is or even what music should sound like. I like any other good music (My second favorite album ever is "Pet Sounds" by "The Beach Boys" and yes, Depeche Mode is the only artist that makes three albums that have no filler at all that I like/own). If you know people who don't know who INXS is, then switch them on to them (For the love of Michael R.I.P. 1960-1997). Now for the songs on this album, there is no filler at "All" on this album, all the songs are the best they can be. Even though all of them could not have been singles, for me there is no top track on this album (Suicide Blonde, Disappear, The Stairs, Faith In Each Other, By My Side, Lately, Who Pays The Price, Know The Difference, Bitter Tears, On My Way, Hear That Sound) all of them sound great. Also my opinion is that this album should have done better than, yes "Kick" (Yes honestly Kick had some filler on it and X is more poppy sounding in a great mature way than "Kick", also don't get me wrong though "Kick" was a wonderful album that finally got INXS known internationally). The song "The Stairs" was probably the best song on the album, that should have been another hit single (There was a video and an import single made for it though). "X" is such a great album I had to buy the 2002 reissue and eventually the English vinyl LP. Oh, yeah how could I forget the bonus tracks, of course they make the album even better and worth buying this version. I more than highly recommended this album if you don't own it yet.
July 31, 2007Following the mighty KICK, INXS had a lot to prove and whilst this isn't their strongest album (I would vote "Welcome to wherever you are" for that honour), it does show a band who worked superbly well as a unit and whose songwriting capabilities were incredible.
There's no filler and some of the tracks - especially "The Stairs" and "By My Side" - should be considered classics.
A cracking album, by a band at the top of their form, this is surely an essential purchase.
January 4, 2007On the heels of Kick one can only imagine the pressure to keep that momentum rolling and as usual INXS more than met the challenge. I stated in another review that although I thought Kick was a decent record, was just a bit too stripped down for my liking. I understood why it was so popular and was very happy to see INXS get the accolades they long deserved but I was hoping for a larger sound. Enter "X". They took everything good about Kick and made the sound larger with great layers of synths and powerful guitar chords.
In my mind INXS has not made a bad record. Very few bands can make that claim. X is a perfect example of a great band on top of the world not sitting on their success and just going through the motions. They made an even better record than the one that made them chart-toppers. From the first few seconds of "Suicide Blonde" I could tell that this was going to be a disc that stays in the car changer for good. This record is overflowing with great melodies, pulsing tempos and outstanding production. It is obvious why Chris Thomas won a Brit award for his work on this record.
Some of the best tunes on this disc are Suicide Blonde, The Stairs, Faith in Each Other, Lately and Who Pays the Price. This remastered cd also has some great unreleased material on them that are the demos that Andrew Fariss recorded of Salvation Jane and Who Pays the Price.
Any fan of the more alternative side of pop/rock can not go wrong with this album. It is a keeper.
January 4, 2006More reviews at Amazon.com ...
(12 reviews)