Very much enjoying this thread and the comments/reviews thus far As a fan who was never crazy about anything pre WTWYA I have appreciated the chance to revisit the bands development. Listen Like Thieves is definitely the pick for me pre '92. Turns out I love Johnsons Aeroplane off The Swing! I'm looking forward to hitting Welcome and all that follows.
We're in opposite worlds, which makes it even more interesting. I got Welcome.... about a year ago, on recommendation, I gave it a quick passing listen and liked it... I knew I would be doing this at some point so I let it sit on the shelf. I've spun it a couple of times this week, and it's a really solid album... I'm still pondering some production choices, but none of them are game changers. I get the impression that Welcome ... is where it was deemed the tide turned for the band or something, but it seems like a good step up from X to me.... so far.
I thought Welcome was a “return to form” after the take-no-chances and stick to the formula album X, but although I felt that way (and so did many other longtime fans) the record buying public had apparently moved on somewhat.
I love Welcome too, but have to admit it comes off slightly reactionary...whereas somehow Achtung Baby feels bold.
By My Side is extremely gorgeous in production, style, execution, as well as lyrical / vocal prowess and finesse. I wouldn't change a thing about this track - it's pretty much perfect. And unlike some other fans here, despite utilizing partial orchestral arrangements, I don't think it sounds like NTUA. I find that many of Michael's lyrics are open to interpretation and this song fits that description. There's a hauntingly quaint emotion present that lingers throughout. Absolutely stunning. BMS is another quintessential INXS song. And I'm very surprised it was only a minor hit.
Not to be a pain...but according to the X song book (piano, vocal, guitar), BMS is actually in 12/8. And I agree, regardless, you could waltz to it.
6/4 - 12/8... same thing really. I count a six, but at the very basic side of things, unless we move into really odd time, prime number beats, pretty much everything is a three or a four, unless it's a polka
Ok first lets clean up yesterdays tracks I missed The Other Side This sound like a promising demo. Parts of it remind me a little of Beautiful Girl ... It is interesting that the band stuck with putting demo-like tracks on the b-sides.
Soothe Me Ok, so it isn't Sam Cooke This is again somewhat demo-like. It sounds like it could have been cleaned up and arranged into something pretty interesting. Not sure who's singing, it doesn't sound like Michael.
Disappear - Morales Mix This has a sparse kind of floating dance beat type thing going on. They turn the beat around on itself in an interesting way ... not sure that I like it though.
There's also a live take of Faith In Each Other, but I'm not sure which of the live versions it is. If you know, please post it for the folks here. Cheers
Lately We open with a keyboard tone, that rolls through a three note thing, and then a riff guitar comes in, with the drums and bass. I never knew much Enough was enough The reasons were not always there But the look in your eyes Hides that surprise I would never have counted on this Well lately You look around You're wondering what your doing Yeah lately You look around Your wondering what you seeing What your doing The taste of your freedom Was sweeter than love Cause you never had a chance to live Your blue sky calls To seduce and bewitch And give you the wings of your fate Well lately You look around You're wondering what your doing Yeah lately You look around Your wondering what you seeing What your doing I never knew much Enough was enough The reasons were not always there But the look in your eyes Hides that surprise I would never have counted on this Well lately You look around You're wondering what your doing Yeah lately You look around Your wondering what you seeing What your doing Well lately You look around You're wondering what your doing Yeah lately You look around Your wondering what you seeing What your doing Songwriters: Michael Hutchence / Andrew Farriss Lately lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc, Universal Music Publishing Group This song rocks along nicely, and in amongst the words we get some of Michael's seemingly signature snaps of "oohw" with the reverb effect on it. I like this, but I wonder if the keyboard layers may be a little too much. It kind of seems like the song is wanting to rock, and we have a nice rhythm guitar, but the keys have this floating kind of sound to them. I guess it is a nice contrast, but it almost seems like it hinders the sound of the song a little ... but the close up listens always seem a little different, so it's hard to tell. there is a nice little guitar break, but it is somewhat buried in the keys too. The lyrics kind of paint a picture and kind of don't. There are inferences to what this is on about, but they never quite define enough to really give me an idea of the direction .... but they do sound good. It's only when I read them that they seem really vague in their meaning. I'll say that I like this as an album track, but I think it could have been a bit better with a re-arrangement, possibly just a different approach to the mix.
The Other Side -- nice little b-side. I hear Beautiful Girl in there too. Soothe Me -- I like it, nice little throbbing, little bit blues-latin ditty. Sounds like Andrew to me. Lately -- 4.5/5. Good track. One of the type of INXS songs that reflects back to their past. I think the keyboards and guitars mesh quite well. Love songs that do it well, and I think this song is one of them. Equal stay, equal power. This and Hear that Sound are the highlights of side 2.
Lately This is a decent enough riff-rocker and good overall song, but for me it’s all about the instrumental section that starts at 1:35. We get a guitars-as-bagpipes sound that invokes Big Country and kicks the song up a notch. Without that this song is 3/5 stars, but with it this is a solid 4/5. I look forward to that instrumental section every time I hear Lately and it never disappoints.
I just gave By My Side another listen, and while I think I understand what people see in the song, it still doesn't work for me.
I find Lately to be a nifty little sing-along. I always end up singing. It's very catchy and I quite like the bass, too. I pretty much agree with @mark winstanley 's review, particularly with regards the keyboard criticism. LOVE the intro though. And riff-rocker is a great way to describe this track! 8/10
Lately is another fairly generic rocker, and while I enjoy it, after it’s done playing I don’t remember anything about it. And this is pointing out why I think X is a step down from Kick - there are several songs that don't leave much impression on me (and one total clunker, still to come).
