X (1990)

After the massive success of Kick, it’s no surprise that INXS came into X with the pressure to follow it up without fumbling the formula. And while they didn’t crash and burn, they definitely took the safer route.

That’s not to say X is weak—far from it. The record delivers plenty of groove, attitude, and polished musicianship. Suicide Blonde kicks things off with urgency and flair. Bitter Tears and Know the Difference both hit with style, and there’s still that signature INXS blend of sax, harmonica, and punchy rhythm work throughout. It’s a tight record with plenty of replay value.

Then there’s Faith in Each Other, which, for me, is a top-tier INXS track—maybe even the one. It’s rich, a little ethereal, and scratches every sonic itch I have. Easily a personal highlight.

The Stairs deserves credit too. It stretches the band’s sound just enough to stand apart—lyrically and sonically—and adds depth to the back half of the album. INXS experimenting doesn’t always hit (Hear That Sound is a bit disjointed for my taste), but the ambition is there, even if the edges have been sanded down.

Disappear was a hit, but I’ve always found it underwhelming. It doesn’t crash the album, but it doesn’t elevate it either.

The biggest knock on X is that it feels… comfortable. It plays like a refined continuation of Kick, but without the risk, without the wild edges that made that record so special. If Kick was bold and boundary-pushing, X is its slicker, less bold sibling.

That said, judged on its own merit—not in Kick’s shadow—X is a strong, stylish pop-rock record. The production is crisp, the energy is high, and the band still sounds locked in. And at this point in the discography, it comfortably lands as their second-best record.

It may not reinvent the wheel, but X keeps it spinning—and keeps the band firmly in their prime.

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Highlight Songs:

• Faith In Each Other

• Suicide Blonde

• Know The Difference

• Bitter Tears

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Own it, Stream it, Forget about it?

10/10 worth owning. Any fan of 80s music, INXS, or great records in general, should own this album. You will look cool and everyone will know you’re cool if you have it on your shelf. So be a cool person and go buy it.

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Overall Rating:

4.5 Stars