I love INXS and I love their latest effort, Original Sin. Why? They’ve given their classic tracks a new spin. So…it’s basically like a greatest hits album but on steroids.
The new direction isn’t great for all of the songs but even then it’s still interesting to hear a song remixed in a slightly different genre. For example…”New Sensation” a la country genre featuring Deborah de Corral. Actually…that might be the only track I wasn’t 100% sure about.
All the rest of the tracks are pretty….awesome. Like the dance version of “Original Sin” courtesy of Rob Thomas and DJ Yalediys, where half of that track is in Spanish. I like it. I like it a lot. Speaking of languages, “Never Tear Us Apart” features Mylène Farmer singing in French, Ben Harper singing in English, and then there’s a symphony in the background for that little added touch. No big deal.
“Mystify” sung by Loane is also in Francais and John Mayer graces us with his presence for a short guitar hook toward the end of the track. Then you have Tricky on “Mediate” offering up some sultry rock vocals on a sexy, lounge track, laced with electric guitar riffs. On the ballad side of tracks, Pat Monahan from Train will steal your heart telling you you’re a “Beautiful Girl” (well maybe not if you’re a dude..or maybe…whatever floats your boat) and the twinkling xylophone notes on “Kick” featuring Nikka Costa with her deep, raspy vocals will make you want to believe in something. I don’t know what but something. And let’s not forget “Don’t Change” with originals Andrew Farriss and Kirk Pengilly: easily one of the best tracks on the album and it’s probably the most acoustic one of all.
The most similiar to original track on the album is “To Look At You” featuring Kav Temperley, but even then, the track has been modernized and given a surge of energy. Oh and remember JD Fortune? Yes, him…the Canadian who won Rockstar: INXS and then pissed off for awhile before finding himself back in the arms of INXS. Well, he’s back and reminding us why he won the competition in the first place.
INXS keyboardist/guitarist and main songwriter Andrew Farriss speaks on the varied collabs: “I’m truly flattered
that we have so many artists interested in working with us reimaging these songs. In a sense, it’s been reenergizing for us to look at ourselves differently in the context of being in 2010 rather than, you know, 30 years ago. I feel we’re very much doing something that’s now and significant.”
You should buy this album for someone’s Christmas gift. Anyone who liks INXS or appreciates good musicianship will enjoy this album.
Rating: 9/10
Label: Sony
Favourites: Mediate, Original Sin, Never Tear Us Apart, Beautiful Girl, To Look at You, Don’t Change
