Album Review : Switch by INXS

When charismatic singer Michael Hutchens dies, many thought that it was the end for the talented Aussie band INXS. The remainning members of the band were though to be excellent musicians and song-writers but how do you bounce back from the death of a man who held arena-audiences in the palm of his hand? Well you wait a few years and announce a world-wide search for a replacement. Then you select the top few and take them to L.A where they compete for the coveted spot of the lead singer by performing on stage in front of a live audience and before millions watching across the globe. Make sure that to listen to the audience reactions and the tons of e-mail sent from fans and then select the right man for the job.

Yes, I said man because you could never have a female singer for a band which once had Hutchens - cause no matter that I didn't think much of him, he was a babe-magnet. You couldn't have a chick replace him no matter how well she sang or danced. The right man was J.D Fortune, a Canadian who has fit in well in the slot. He is not trying to be Michael. Having said that the album's first song's Devils's Party first two lines actually sounds like the dead singer has come back. After that JD takes over in his own style and really rocks out to deliver a standout performance. The very "godamn catchy it should be arrested" Pretty Vegas is one of the highlights and my one of my recent favs to sing along to. Hot Girls, Afterglow, Never Let You Go & Us are all great tunes you can rock out to.

I was never a big fan of INXS, the only songs of theirs I really like were Never Tear Us Apart & Mystify. Several others were ones I heard or saw the videos off but I had never gone to buy an INXS cd before. This one I bought mainly due to the new singer but the entire band has done an excellent job on all fronts and should be a keeper for the ages. If you haven't got it yet, go buy this one moron!!



Song for the day - "The Devil's Party" - INXS