Back catalogue: All genres

Review: INXS have gone all in and hired the best in the business to provide a brand new stereo mix of their 1985 Listen Like Thieves album, namely Giles Martin and Paul Hicks, who have been remixing and remastering the Beatles back catalogue together. Ill content to let a better sounding album be enough of a package, the Australian 80s icons add previously unreleased sessions tracks, outtakes, demos and a live recording the BBC did at the Royal Albert Hall in 1986. Of the tunes on here, 'This Time' has a U2-esque stadium-filling atmosphere that is undeniably empowering. But it's also great hearing another, more stripped back side to the new wave icons and 'Kiss The Dirt' is a great place to start with this - you can hear a work in progress and let your imagination can fill in the gaps.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Records very slightly warped***


Kick, the sixth and best-selling 1987 studio album by Australian band INXS, solidified the band's place in music history with its unmistakable sound. This six x platinum-selling album features four U.S. Top 10 singles, including the chart-topping 'Need You Tonight.' Mastered by Ryan K. Smith from an EQ'd Dolby tape copy and pressed at Quality Record Pressings, this 180-gram 45 RPM double LP promises unparalleled sound quality. Pressing 'Kick' at 45 RPM across two LPs significantly enhances the album's audio fidelity. The 45 RPM format allows for wider grooves and more space for the stylus to track the record's intricate details, resulting in a richer, fuller sound. This format minimizes distortion and improves the high-frequency response, delivering clearer vocals, more defined instruments, and a dynamic range that closely replicates the original studio recordings. The result is a listening experience that reveals nuances and depth previously unheard on standard 33 1/3 RPM records.

Album highlights include 'New Sensation', with its infectious guitar riff and vibrant energy, this track is a quintessential INXS anthem that captures the band's blend of rock and dance elements. 'Never Tear Us Apart' is the albums main ballad, featuring Michael Hutchence's emotive vocals and the band's ability to craft songs with deep emotional resonance. The orchestral arrangement adds a layer of sophistication and timelessness. 'Devil Inside', driven by a pulsating bassline and Hutchence's sultry performance, this song epitomizes the band's fusion of rock and funk, creating an irresistibly dark and alluring atmosphere. The album's No. 1 hit, 'Need You Tonight,' features a memorable hook and a seductive rhythm that made it a staple of 1980s pop-rock. The album has plenty of lesser known songs to explore and enjoy as well like the vibrant and catchy 'Calling All Nations'. Produced by Chris Thomas, 'Kick' successfully fused the funk and soul influences of INXS's earlier work with mainstream rock appeal. This reissue by Analogue Productions, with its meticulous mastering and high-quality pressing, ensures that Kick can be experienced in all its glory. Whether revisiting this classic or discovering it for the first time, listeners will appreciate the enhanced audio fidelity and the timeless appeal of INXS's greatest album.