Elegantly Wasted (1997)
Technically not the final INXS record all together, but the final album of the group INXS as we knew them.
After three decades, ten studio albums, and a shifting musical landscape that wasn’t exactly kind to bands from the ‘80s, this record manages to land with far more clarity and focus than anyone had a right to expect.
Released in the late ’90s—when grunge had peaked, hip-hop and electronica were rising, and legacy bands were either evolving or evaporating—Elegantly Wasted feels like a band still trying to find their footing, but doing so with much more style than previous attempts suggest. And against the odds, they mostly pull it off.
The songwriting is stronger than on the two albums before it. The hooks are back, the energy feels real, and the band sounds locked in. Don’t Lose Your Head and Girl on Fire are sharp, catchy, and classic INXS—big grooves, big choruses, no filler. I’m Just A Man might be the best evidence that the X-factor wasn’t lost for good, but just buried beneath a few missteps.
Even more impressive is how tight the band sounds, especially given the internal strain they were facing. Hutchence, in particular, sounds as charismatic and commanding as ever. His performance across the record is a reminder of what made him one of the greatest frontmen in rock history.
There’s joy in this record too. For the first time in a while, the band doesn’t sound like they’re chasing trends—they sound like they’re making music because they still want to. The songs breathe more, the arrangements feel looser, and the creative energy that felt buried on the last two records starts to surface again.
It’s not a perfect record by any means, and it still sits a step or two behind their peak. But Elegantly Wasted is easily the strongest of their final three. It’s the sound of a band finding form again, even if only briefly. It also became a bittersweet farewell—Hutchence’s death just months later sealed this album as his final chapter.
And as far as final chapters go, it’s a damn respectable one. Elegantly Wasted may not be the INXS record everyone talks about—but it’s one fans should never overlook. It’s got the heart, the hooks, and just enough magic left to remind you of who they were.—————————————————
Highlight Songs:
I’m Just A Man
Don’t Lose Your Head
Girl On Fire
Elegantly Wasted
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Own it, Stream it, Forget about it?
I may go as far as suggesting that this one is worth the buy. Absolutely deserves a stream and I believe it is solid enough to warrant replays. It’s also a great end cap album to the Michael Hutchence era of INXS.
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Overall Rating:
4 Stars
