"X" is, in my opinion, the last great INXS album with that classic INXS sound. I didn't buy it until 10 years after it's release. Why? I don't know. I'm glad I finally did because it's much better than I expected it to be. It wasn't as big a hit as some of their other "classics," such as "The Swing," "Listen Like Thieves," or "Kick," but it is just as good as all of them. I know it had some minor hits, but "X" is a classic album that never really became classic. If you like INXS at all, buy "X." You won't regret it.

INXS were coming off a massive high before this album got underway. "Kick" was one of the biggest albums of the year, they had their first American number one single and had polished off a world tour that was successful beyond their wildest dreams. The demands on the band weighed in heavy - everything had to be bigger and more amazing than before. It made "X" an album that couldn't possibly live up to anyone's expectations.

The band was also obviously aware of their position. Many of the songs on "X" sound over-thought out. Only the initial single sounds at all spontaneous, with Charlie Musselwhite's killer harmonica riff elevating "Suicide Blonde" to a classic. And the catchy "doo doo doo" chorus on "Disappear" made that song a worthy single as well. But then the songs begin to lose steam. "Bitter Tears" and "By My Side" hold up the best, but the "Kick" factor is literally not there.

That having been said, "X" is still a very satisfying listen. Had this been that album before "Kick" and after "Listen Like Thieves," I doubt it would get the bad rap it often gets. They explored some funky sounds here ("Bitter Tears" and "Who Pays The Price") that would have also made strong singles. Micael Hutchence is one of rock's all time great frontmen, and I've always been a sucker for Kirk Pengilly's sax riffs. While this would not be my first choice for an INXS purchase, I still recommend "X" to fans of the band's style of rock.

I purchased this Inxs' album when it was released because I liked a lot the single "Disappear"that climbed the Hot 100 'till to number 8;i was very surprised to discover that many songs were good as the single i prefered."Lately" is a pop tune with a great chorus,"Hear that sound" is a contagious classic Inxs'song,"By my side" is a tender love song" and "Bitter tears" is a semi-rock song that makes you stand up and move.I was very sorry at the new of Michael Hutchence's death;I always thought he was one of the most charismatic singer in the pop-rock music.

INXS released siX straight albums that I would call very good to great, starting with "Shabooh Shoobah" and ending with "Welcome To Wherever You Are". "X" of course is one of those albums, and if it seems uneXciting, it's probably because it came after "Kick", more than anything else. There are tracks here that I'm tempted to call good filler, but the hits "Suicide Blonde", "Disappear", "The Stairs", and "Bitter Tears" make this a must for the fan, if not a good place to begin for the newcomer. "By My Side" and "Hear That Sound" are also fine songs. The bonus tracks here are indeed a bonus, but it's the original songs that make this album eXceptional.

On the heels of Kick one can only imagine the pressure to keep that momentum rolling and as usual INXS more than met the challenge. I stated in another review that although I thought Kick was a decent record, was just a bit too stripped down for my liking. I understood why it was so popular and was very happy to see INXS get the accolades they long deserved but I was hoping for a larger sound. Enter "X". They took everything good about Kick and made the sound larger with great layers of synths and powerful guitar chords.
In my mind INXS has not made a bad record. Very few bands can make that claim. X is a perfect example of a great band on top of the world not sitting on their success and just going through the motions. They made an even better record than the one that made them chart-toppers. From the first few seconds of "Suicide Blonde" I could tell that this was going to be a disc that stays in the car changer for good. This record is overflowing with great melodies, pulsing tempos and outstanding production. It is obvious why Chris Thomas won a Brit award for his work on this record.

Some of the best tunes on this disc are Suicide Blonde, The Stairs, Faith in Each Other, Lately and Who Pays the Price. This remastered cd also has some great unreleased material on them that are the demos that Andrew Fariss recorded of Salvation Jane and Who Pays the Price.

Any fan of the more alternative side of pop/rock can not go wrong with this album. It is a keeper.