For me "Lately" is a great example of how having album sides served the music. While not a great track, it kicks off Side 2 with some appreciated urgency...whereas buried in the middle of a CD or streamed album I can see how it would just sort of blend into the wallpaper.
-- Agree. Always a shot of inspiration, when after flipping a record, or cassette, it starts off with a bang.
The Other Side floats along nicely with a semi-memorable melody. And I wonder what it would've sounded like with lyrics. It's a good B-side. Soothe Me is decent at best. Andrew's lead vocals kind of ruin it for me. But the chorus saves the track from falling off the edge of a cliff. Disappear's Morales mix somewhat works as a dance mix but again, doesn't add much to better the original mix. Lately is one of the best deep album cuts in INXS' entire catalogue. Excellent keyboard intro & verse guitar riff. Jon's under-mixed hi-hat interplay in the verses is quite astonishing. And I love how the song just slips into the chorus before you necessarily even know you're there (a now signature INXS songwriting attribute). And the chorus guitar arpeggios fit so well. Lately might be Michael's finest baritone range vocal performance. Lyrically, the verses are also some of his best. Uniquely, in the instrumental interlude, the keyboards with both rhythm guitars that play polyrhythmic parts build to crescendo, bringing the track back into the verses seamlessly. Wonderful. Live, Lately was only played on the X tour. And Kirk includes an exquisitely-executed extended saxophone intro. If you haven't heard/seen it, drop everything right now and check this clip out from the recent re-release of Live Baby Live (DVD/BR/4K Ultra). Here it is:
I have the BMS single, so I've heard it. But I can't find it on youtube. It's a great version and one of the rhythm guitar parts in the chorus includes a wah-wah pedal effect that isn't in the original album version...
Who Pays The Price I like the hesitant opening. The little walking guitar lick works well, and then we burst into a nice almost blues rock type song. Yes it's dark sometimes When the people are shoving Pushing you into the ground And you cry in the daylight With the sun in your eyes Even though you know you're not alone And it's all been felt before You stare out through your window And wonder if there's gonna be more It brings you down It's like a war Who pays the price If you want more Quiet desperation of a million lives Gonna make you change your ways We got everything we wanted But forgot how we got it Just can't paint it golden anyway And the strength of all you're giving Is gonna make the changes Tomorrow's gonna bring a new day It brings you down It's like a war Who pays the price If you want more As the years go by Will it show on your face Or stay hidden behind some door Yeah you made your resolutions With the will of a priest But your not so sure anymore And the reasons why you're living Keep changing Every time you find a key you find more It brings you down It's like a war Who pays the price If you want more [repeat till fade] Songwriters: Michael Hutchence / Andrew Farriss Who Pays the Price lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc, Universal Music Publishing Group We have this nice dynamic arrangement between the somewhat sparse verses and the pounding grinding chorus. I like that, and I think it is effective. I like the kind of organic instrumentation, and I think that we get a nice arrangement. I do get a sort of deja vu from the chorus, but it isn't anything by Inxs, it is almost like it sounds like something by someone else, but nothing specific. I really like the fact that they weren't afraid to give this song a bit of punch, and I think the harmonica really adds a nice feel to the sound, and kind of contextually connects it to the opening track of the album. This is a pretty solid track for me.
Who Pays the Price: 3.5/5. This song starts the part of the album that blurs until Hear That Sound. It's an okay song, and something I would not go out of my way to listen to on a regular basis. I find the harmonica annoying and the song limps.
I like the dark groove of Who Pays the Price - the music and lyrics work well together. The verses set the mood, and the chorus slams the point home with great playing and a superior arrangement. This one’s a winner.
This matches my view of this song. On an album that is so polished - this track feels more rough and ready. The harmonica gives the track a bit more of a spontaneous feel. “Dark groove” - good description.
Where’s the ‘walking guitar’ bit Mark? Would you mind time giving a time stamp ie which minute/sec on that? I’m always trying to extend my music vocabulary and that’s a neat description. I LOVE this song but promise not to write an essay this time. First of all, ‘hesitant’ intro is a fantastic way to describe the start. The sound my ear zeroes in on is some sort of shaking instrument (here my vocabulary deserts me). I don’t know what it is…am thinking back to my school days in music lesson, picturing some sort of wooden oblong thing with beans inside of it. Lol. Whatever it is, this sound is understated but important. Take it away and you would’t have that hesitant feel. It’s a tension builder. The main reason I love this song so much is the bluesy vibe with harmonica and twangy cowboy guitar. I am crazy about twangy guitar. Not jangly guitar associated with C&W which I’m not a fan of. I am absolutely obsessed with any music that sounds remotely like it could soundtrack a cowboy movie (reason I gave Royal Blood a chance years back as they have some awesome progressive tracks in this area, including one where they mimic a rap beat, sadly they’ve not continued to impress me). Back on topic: Lyrically, ‘and you cry in the daylight with the sun in your eyes’ strikes a vivid image of someone blinking tears under the hot sun and of course, I’m transported to cowboy country, the plains, or rocky terrain, some barren place…actually I’m probably thinking of the video for Kiss the Dirt. The other standout lyric is ‘we got everything we wanted but forgot how we got it.’ One of my favourite tracks from this album. Needless to say, this song gets a 10/10 from me.
Might have been able to replace Tiny Daggers. I've given it a 10/10 within the context of this album, but I also feel it could have gone on Kick last as a bookend to Devil Inside.
Probably a poor description, but I was referring to that bit of intro guitar. When I hear it, it sounds like someone doing a stealth-like creeping walk... I see an almost comical secret agent type creeping up on someone in a staggered walk. Lol .... yea I know, my psychological issues would keep a team busy for years
That's such an awesome description...I'm going to listen to it again now to see if I can picture the guitar ninja...
Write as much as you need to say what you need to say mate. I doubt anyone is perturbed. To me the comments are the thread. Sure the subject is the song/album whatever, but the bread and butter of the thread is sharing how it makes you feel... whether from an emotional, intellectually, sensual or whatever perspective... I read all the comments (when possible), and appreciate them whether I agree or not, because it all sheds light on the music we're looking at
Who Pays The Price is probably my favourite album track from X. Here's why: it's bluesy as hell. The lyrics, as well as the rest of the arrangements, are all fantastic, and contribute to making what essentially is a blues rock song. BUT Charlie Musselwhite's harmonica lines/riffs, along with the guitar riffs, ARE the song. And for all the fans who think INXS weren't moving forward stylistically, at least somewhat, during this era, WPTP proves them wrong. The only downside to this song, is that it's too short! What an amazing track! And when played live (unfortunately, yet another song from X not played live since 1991), Andrew does an excellent job playing CM's harmonica parts. Here's a great example of that from the 1-22-91 Buenos Aires, River Plate Stadium show (the LBL version on youtube has apparently been blocked)...
Know The Difference We dive straight into a beat. The guitar starts in the background and very effected, but slowly moves into the foreground. You're driving all over town In your big car Windows down Sweet perfume trails behind The impression is in my mind It's crazy how much I ache For the moments we could make Your girlfriends they like to talk Yeah they told me about your boy What you do and what you say Do you know the difference anyway Could I show you what's in store Cause I know you'll be wanting more You're the kind of girl who knows What you want and where it goes You got instinct You got class Why don't you leave that guy on his ass Good intentions are not enough We should join hands and rise above What you do and what you say Do you know the difference anyway What you do and what you say Do you know the difference anyway What you do and what you say Do you know the difference anyway What you do and what you say Do you know the difference anyway It's crazy how much I ache For the moments we could make Your girlfriends they like to talk Yeah they told me about your boy Your driving all over town In your big car Windows down Sweet perfume trails behind The impression is in my mind What you do and what you say Do you know the difference anyway What you do and what you say Do you know the difference anyway Songwriters: Michael Hutchence / Andrew Farriss Know the Difference lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc, Universal Music Publishing Group This track isn't bad, it seems to be reaching for the magic of the previous album to some degree, but it does step outside of that and tries to bring on board some different things. I think we have some nice chord changes that aren't quite typical, and do add a little bit of flavour. On the whole though this is just an average kind of Inxs song, that is fine when I am listening to the album, but doesn't do anything to make me seek it out.
Reference guide The band's origins May 1980 Simple Simon / We Are The Vegetables Aug 1980 Live Paris Theatre, Sydney Oct 1980 Inxs (debut album) On A Bus Doctor Just Keep Walking - On TV Learn To Smile Jumping In Vain - live - interview Roller Skating - live Body Language Newsreel Babies Wishy Washy - live Just Keep Walking b-side Scratch Mar 1981 The Loved One/The Unloved One Sept 1981 Stay Young/Lacavocal Oct 1981 Underneath The Colours Stay Young Horizons Big Go Go Underneath The Colours Fair Weather Ahead Night Of Rebellion Follow Barbarian What Would You Do? Just To Learn Again Prehistoria - bside 1982 INXSive Live 8/12/1982 -Sydney Four Corners - Flavour Of The Month After Dark Interview Oct 1982 Shabooh Shoobah - Ad The One Thing - 12" - live - countdown To Look At You - 12" - live 84 Spy Of Love - live Soul Mistake - live Here Comes - live Black And White - live Golden Playpen - live Jan's Song - live Old World New World - live Don't Change - Countdown b-sides Space Shuttle Phantim Of The Opera Sax Thing You Never Used To Cry Here Comes II Go West Long In Tooth 1982 Freedom Soundtrack - with Don Walker Speed Kills Forest Theme Stop The Drop - live Feb 83 Inxs at LA Zoo Mar 1983 Live At Perkins Palace May 1983 US Festival Sept 1983 Dekadance US Black And White 12" To Look At You 12" The One Thing 12" Here Come II new version Apr 1984 The Swing Original Sin - single - video Melting In The Sun - video I Send A Message - single - live - live - live Dancing On The Jetty - video The Swing - live Johnson's Aeroplane Love Is (What I Say) - video - videos Face The Change - live Burn For You - single mix - live All The Voices - video B-sides Jans Song/To Look At You (live) Mechanical The Harbour Johnson's Aeroplane alt. April 1984 Dekadance Original Sin - Dance Mix I Send A Message - ext Burn for You - ext Dancing On The Jetty - remix Melting In The Sun - remix Love Is ( What I Say) - remix Jackson 1985 The Swing And Other Stories (video) The video Merry Christmas (fan club) Oct 1985 Listen Like Thieves What You Need - 12" Listen Like thieves - 12" - video Kiss The Dirt - video - 12" Shine Like It Does - live Good + Bad Times Biting Bullets This Time Three Sisters Same Direction One X One Red Red Sun b-sides Sweet As Sin I'm Over You Different World Begotten Six Knots 1985 The Living Inxs 1985 Oz For Africa Feb 1986 Do What You Do - Pretty In Pink Dec 1986 Dogs In Space Dogs In Space Golf Course The Green Dragon Rooms For The Memory - movie version Jul 1987 Laying Down The Law - Lost Boys 1987 Australian Made 1987 Inxs and Jimmy Barnes Good Times - live Oct 1987 Kick Guns In The Sky - Kookaburra mix - Kick Ass Mix New Sensation - Nick's 12" mix Devil Inside - video - radio edit - 12" mix Need You Tonight - full video - Mendelsohn Mix - Ben Liebrand Mix - Andrew Farris Mediate The Loved One Wild Life Never Tear Us Apart - video - alt. Mystify - video - Chicago demo Kick Calling all Nations - Alt. mix Tiny Daggers b-sides On The Rocks I'm Coming (Home) Move On Aug 6th 1988 Toronto Live 1988 Kick The Video Flick 1989 In Search Of Excellence Sep 1989 Max Q Sometimes - video/straight rock mix -Rock House ext. - dub The Way Of The World - 12" Ghost Of The Year Everything Concrete Zero-2-0 - Terry Todd Remix Soul Engine Buckethead Monday Night By Satellite Tight Ot-Ven-Rot b-sides Love Man Zero 2 0 Sept 1990 X Suicide Blonde - earth - devastation - milk - demolition - 7" nik - performance - video Disappear - 12" - live - Morales Mix The Stairs Faith In Each Other By My Side - demo Lately Who Pays The Price Know The Difference b-sides Everybody Wants You Tonight Middle Beast What You Need Cold Cut Force The Other Side Soothe Me
Know the Difference 3/5. Another good song but nothing really jumps out to me. A ditty, what a pity. The album gets stuck in a rut here.
Quite like Know The Difference, but during the Wembley performance Tim Farriss makes a very juvenile hand gesture during the "what she wants and where it goes" line and it's embarrassing for everyone, LOL.
Know The Difference Ok, so this is the “weakest link” on X for me. The percussion track reminds me of “Need You Tonight” - and that’s a distraction. This is not a bad song, but I think INXS is trying to put a little bit of a party mood back into the album with this one instead of staying serious and they don’t succeed. The previous two tracks have been great, but this one is a bit of a lightweight and doesn’t do much to stand out. It’s the “Wild Life” of X - but I like Wild Life much more. They had a great track called “Waiting To Be Free” (see the 2002 reissue) that they could have used instead of this one and it would been an excellent upgrade.
Right after one of the album’s best tracks, we get Know the Difference. This seems like an attempt at a dance track, but it doesn’t have the depth I’ve come to expect from this band. Some of the lyrics are downright embarrassing - “you’re the kind of girl who knows what you want and where it goes.” Seriously? This song is a straight-up clunker, and it's where the album starts to fall apart for me.
