Like the "music fan" from UK, I had this on cassette first and wore it out. I agree also that "Shabooh Shoobah" comes a close second to this. The followup to this, "Listen Like Thieves," was (I believe) INXS's first big introduction into the US (other than the big fans underground and through ear-of-mouth); I think that "The Swing," if it had instead been the band's big breakthrough release in the US, they'd have soared to higher levels than they did (not that they didn't too less than alright for 'emselves...). "The Swing" is a great romp; everything is danceable, hummable, playable over and over.... end to end. On occasion, "Original Sin" does get some airplay on LA stations, still... I hope people hear it thinking, "what's that from? I love that! I want more! " I love the transition before the beginning of "Burn For You." By the way, the video for "Burn For You" shows a plane taking off from Mackay, north Queensland... my ol' stomping grounds. I can see my old apartment building... and I choke up every time. Yes, I miss Michael. I still cannot believe he's not with us anymore. I am upset about the circumstances leading up to his death... I was never a fan of Geldof, and less so since Michael died. He is missed. For the curious, buy this album. You will not be disappointed. Especially "All The Voices." Turn that sucker all the way up at the end... the guitar fades off infinitely....

Vince

The Swing is a somewhat left field album for INXS up until this time. I'm from the US, but it seems that European people might have understood this album more than here. Original Sin tells that tale of interracial love and all it's consequences in a "pop" song. This is still a topical song and subject if you get past the 1984 sounding melody and keyboards. Melting In The Sun has a very "Outback" feel to it. Strong drums and the lyrics always make me envision what the Austrailian Outback may look like. The Swing sounds a little reminiscent of "Let's Dance" by David Bowie. Synths and synth drums have me envisioning people in clubs dancing to this one. The title track, the Swing, seems to feature Daryl Hall (yes, that Daryl Hall of Hall and Oates) on backing vocals toward the end of the song. He was credited on the album. It also sounds partially like a Hall and Oates out-take. Johnson's Aeroplane has a violin beginning to it. It is very dreamlike and emotional in it's lyrics about a farmer's plight during a drought. Strong bass and "airplane soaring" guitar effects make this one a personal favorite. Love Is (What I Say) could have been another good mid-tempo ballad single if it were released in the US. Face The Change has a funk element to it and good wordplay in the lyrics, as if reversing phrases one after the other. It seques into Burn For You, which has good backing vocals with good tempo change. The female back up singers also add a good sound to it. All The Voices seems to feature the return of Daryl Hall to backing vocals. To me, it is slightly reminiscent of Hey Jude, with some calling and repeating towards the end. Fans of INXS and new fans will expect a great sensation for the ears and mind with this album. A great example of some music from 1984 and it seems to contain the better merits of new wave of the time. It has good textures and mixes some old and new sounds. This is the sound of INXS before the fame, before What You Need, KICK, and massive tours, etc. They were still expanding their craft and honing skills. In short, they were still having fun. Should be a great experience for those who have yet to hear this CD.

I've had this album for several years, and after much deliberation (as I love INXS so dearly and all of their albums) I've decided that this particular album is my favorite. In fact, it is my number one favorite album ever, but hey, I'm still young, so what do I know?

One cannot possibly be a true INXS fan without owning this album. It is so much fun and just rejuvenating to listen to, especially on those boring hot summer days (for some reason, it just reminds me of summer). The album is poppy, funky, and classical at times. It includes a wide palette of musical influences and diversity, so regardless of your genre preference (funk, new wave, alternative, rock, etc.), you are sure to enjoy this album. Michael Hutchence's vocals are soothing ("Johnson's Aeroplane"), powerful ("All the Voices"), and trademarkingly sultry and seductive ("Original Sin," "Burn for You") as most of his vocals are.

This album is brilliant from start to finish -- I have no other way to describe it. I wish I could write a better review for it as my review pales in comparison to most and does the album little justice, but I will leave you with this: any music fan should own this album over any other INXS album, though they are all great, really. Michael Hutchence's legacy lives on in all of INXS's masterpieces, most of which have gone regretfully unnoticed over the years. Do not pass this album by...

"The Swing" is, by far, my favorite INXS album. It was the first INXS album that I owned. I too wore out the tape from playing it too much.

In 1985 I attended an INXS concert at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. This concert was performed just months prior to the release of Listen Like Theives. Many of the songs that INXS performed in concert were from The Swing. I remember when INXS performed "Burn For You", you could have heard a pin drop when it was over and then there was applause. I was in awe. This was by far the most spiritual experience I've ever had at a rock 'n' roll concert. I've been to many since and nobody has matched the experience of INXS. While this album captures some of the energy that INXS had in concert, it's a close second to the real thing. It's regretable that Michael was taken from us too soon.

This is a great album, period. Buy it, you will not be disapointed.

On a day that many might get the new "Switch" disc, I suggest "The Swing" to everyone. Before they released the world-dominating "Kick", they put out three excellent albums, and this is one of them. The "Shabooh-Thieves" era was awesome, and many of these songs are the reason why. If you've only heard "Original Sin", I promise every other track on here is just as good. "I Send A Message", "Johnson's Aeroplane", and the title track are primo INXS. And the last songs are all as great as the first ones. Again, if you're a fan of any INXS, especially the earlier years, "The Swing" hits it out of the ball-park. Michael can never be replaced.