INXS Album: “Definitive INXS [UK]”

To celebrate 25 years, INXS released a series of compilations and remastered albums. However, for fans who already own their 1994 "Greatest Hits" and/or "Shine Like It Does: The Anthology 1979-1997," they may be reluctant to purchase additional INXS compilations such as "Definitive INXS," "Best Of," or "The Years," even with the appeal of 2 new tracks.

Out of the recent releases, for an introduction to the band or for someone who has not yet owned an INXS compilation, however, I highly recommend this import 2-CD set "Definitive INXS" to the U.S. release "Best Of." Although the U.S. version contains a better selection of tracks taken from "Welcome to Wherever You Are" ("Heaven Sent," "Not Enough Time," "Taste It," and "Beautiful Girl"), this "Definitive INXS" makes up for it by containing some tracks not contained in their studio albums, including "Shining Star" (found only on "Live Baby Live") and a great cover of "Born To Be Wild." Furthermore, the second CD contains three classic INXS videos ("Need You Tonight," "Suicide Blonde," and "Mystify"), some good live performances, and collaborations such as "Precious Heart" and "I'm So Crazy," previously found only as import singles.

For fans who already own a "greatest hits" package, particularly "Shine Like It Does," purchasing any more compilations might be a hard sell, considering this particular release is comparably priced and does not contain as many tracks. However, "Definitive INXS" offers a little bit of everything from all of their albums, as well as some live cuts and multimedia material. Unlike "Shine Like It Does," which contains a lot of radio-edit or single versions of their tracks, most of their studio hits here are full-length versions ("Original Sin," "Beautiful Girl," "Devil Inside," and "Baby Don't Cry" are the exceptions). Die-hard fans will want the two new tracks and the cover of "Born To Be Wild."

Overall, it's a great compilation that reminds us how great the band was with Michael Hutchence, but hopefully it will help them move on with their new lead singer Jon Stevens. Here's hoping for more years to come.

It's best to get to know a band by listening to their best-of album. I have absolutely no idea why I started listening to INXS, but I have to say that I was thrilled by the quality of their music. Maybe their music is typical kind of Eightees music, but even those who are not into that genre or who are even born in the nineties will learn to appreciate this record.

Overall, this record puts you in a good mood.