It has been nearly 6 years since INXS made a respectable comeback with a new lead singer on their album called “Switch”. In the absence of any new material at the moment, INXS has released re-workings of some of their previous tunes featuring a myriad of different artists and styles. Not a very exciting premise to begin with, and the execution of this ill-fated idea is even worse than one can imagine. Just three tracks in and I was ready to throw in the towel – after starting the record with filler like “Drum Opera”, and an electronic version of “Meditate” by Tricky, and then an utterly annoying house version of “Original Sin” featuring Rob Thomas at his worst, it is clear the sin was making this record in the first place. Even Pat Monahan (Train) manages to strip away the perky charm of “Beautiful Girl”. The only meritorious cuts off this disaster are “New Sensation”, an acoustic version nicely done by Deborah de Corral, and “To Look At You”, which retains a cool 80s feel and features Kav Temperley.
Current lead singer for the band, JD Fortune (found during a reality TV show), lends vocals to an over the top rendition of “The Stairs”. If the album does anything, it reaffirms that JD Fortune is about as righteous of a substitute as you can get for the irreplaceable Michael Hutchence.
iPOD-worthy: 6, 9
INXS – Official site.
5 comments:
Yes, The Stairs was a great rendition. JD and INXS are in Australia now (jan-feb) on tour and the reviews for JD and the band are incredible. I am happy this band has continued on - no need for them to die when they are still drawing crowds of 8,000 and more who are appreciating their music! And JD Fortune is the frontman who is making this possible for the band and the fans - and he does it very very well.
JD Fortune's version of The Stairs was magnificent. Such real emotion in every note...
I totally agree that it is great that the band continued on. Their music is timeless and should be heard for generations to come.
I absolutely love JD Fortune's rendition of The Stairs. His spoken word style on part of that track ROCKS! JD Fortune can build an arrangement with incredibly varied tone, volume and out and out energy! I love this unexpected surprise!
Why didn't the band lock JD in a room for a month to re-work their old material....it would have been spectacular, not this garbage. Now they are pimping Pat Monahan (?) singing Beautiful Girl, give me a break, JD blew the audience away at the 2010 Winter Olympics with this song. Are your egos getting in the way there mates?!?
I love JD's new version of "The Stairs." I have been listening to it nonstop for months now. JD updated this INXS classic song with his standard brilliance. "Anonymous" is right: JD's performance of "Beautiful Girl" at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver was spectacular. And have you heard his rendition of "Love Is?" It is by FAR the best song they reimagined, and JD and the boys are rocking it on this tour. I don't know why "Love Is" isn't featured on the album, but I'm glad I have my own copy so I can listen to over and over and over! Keep rocking, JD and INXS. By the way, JD's solo work is amazing and it would be great fun to hear some new material by him and INXS!
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