1997 - I recall being excited somewhat that INXS had a new album, but I wondered: would it be any good? Their last one: Full Moon Dirty Hearts was awful and the last time I'd seen them on tour - Michael Hutchence looked drugged out and sounded, well, wasted. But the band played on...

Elegantly Wasted is as some reviewers say here - a rejuvenated INXS back on track. It was really the album that INXS needed to have done a few years earlier before they lost the plot. But as luck would have it, the industry had changed and it seemed that INXS just wasn't as relevant anymore. I think it would've taken the band a couple more albums to claw back to the top - if that door was still open.

Fans of Kick and X and Welcome to Wherever You Are will not be disappointed. Every track here is solid - and the absence of a clear cut hit doesn't detract from the listening experience and the production of the album.

The real question was whether INXS would be pop stars again. This album shows that the musicianship hadn't suffered and Hutchence still sounded great. But externally, he clearly wasn't the same man. His departure left a bitter taste and few answers...but a solid music legacy.

Elegantly Wasted will remain the overlooked INXS album and the sign of what could have continued.

Inxs are back in the spotlight with RockStar: Inxs. Yada yada yada...

However, the most talented member of the band (IMO) is no longer with us.

This release captures some of the best Inxs songs ever recorded.

"Don't Lose Your Head" is such a catchy and poppy song. However, it has very deep lyrics that someone could spend days thinking about. I know I have. Imagine the music of John Mellencamp's "Jack and Diane" meets the lyrics of Hutch. Then you have about a 80% idea of how awesome this track is. Nothing I could say could do it justice.

"Searching" is a song that isn't very catchy the first time you hear it. However, it will grow on you quickly. It is a VERY amazing song. The lyrics make you wonder what state of mind, Michael was in during this time.

"Elegantly Wasted" is the title track and it has a different style to it. It doesn't really sound like anything Inxs have done before (IMO.) This isn't a bad thing though. The song has a great hook and once again, Michael's lyrics and voice shine.

Also I would say check out "Girl On Fire" because is catchy if you give it a chance.

Michael Hutchence may be gone. To some Inxs are gone with him. However, this album hopefully will remind people how talented Michael Hutchence was, and how great Inxs were back in 1997.

Elegantly Wasted is a very intense album with a variation of unique musical styles. Ranging from the soul-sound of "Searching" to the power of "Don't Lose Your Head", it can be upbeat, melodic, and passionate. It manages to maintain a dance element without being "teeny-bopper" music. Lyrically, it is very mature, and gives a very personal look at the life of Michael Hutchence, a gifted and extremely talented man, with songs such as "I'm Just A Man" and "Building Bridges". You know that every word he sings is meant, and written not to sell, but written from the bottom of his heart. This is INXS' most mature, powerful, and certainly their best album yet.

Ten years ago today was the release of INXS's last studio recording with the late Michael Hutchence. The band had come full circle as they spent years and years making great albums and all leading up to what can be defined as their ultimate masterpiece. INXS always became more refined with every album, while their passion for playing upbeat rock music with a relentless drive is even more founded on Elegantly Wasted. Also not missing are songs filled with just as much passion and poignancy as the music. And Micheal Hutchence continues to sing with vocals that sounded more sharp and emotional than ever. When you listen to these songs now, you can detect how he sang with an unmarked intensity as if there was no tomorrow.

By C.S.

"Elegantly Wasted" marks the Aussie groups fouth studio release since the mega- hit success of "Kick". Musically the band continues to create songs in a similar guitar driven manner they have taken since the 1986 "Listen Like Thieves" album where they began to strip down on the heavy dosage of synthesizers that had been so prevalent on their previous records,"Shabooh Shoobah" and "The Swing".
Many critics have contended that " 1992's Welcome To Wherever You Are" and 1993 -94 's "Full Moon, Dirty Hearts" were spotty records. They latter is certainly more accurate,though the highlights on "Full Moon" were very commendable efforts.
"Elegantly Wasted" if nothing else,is a beautiful exercise in production. Gone is Mark Opitz who produced many of INXS's efforts,including the aformentioned, and in is Bruce Fairbarn, aided by the legend of mastering,George Marino,who engineered the Led Zeppelin "Remasters",and Tom Lord Alge, a influental figure on numerous dance/ New Wave re -mixes and full length projects.
The sharp sound alone will entice one on frequent occassions to listen to "Elegantly".
In effect, this album attempts to take a few pit stops in different territories. There's old school R&B interjected into the synth bass led "Searching",with super fly guitar creeping up in the background and synth work that floats and transforms itself to church organ.
"Don't Lose Your Head" is a questionable attempt in the same direction where it seems that Hutchence is in a hurry to make a quick cameo and head to next destination.
That checkpoint lands on familar ground where the band delivers it's best shots in "The "Land of Funk", INXS style. The failures that took place on "Dont Lose" and the Big Country like slide guitar driven averageness of "Im Just A Man" and the flat mid- tempo number that is "Everything", disintegrate once the band understands where they are most effective.
They stretch the boundaries with the The Police sample of "Synchronicity"layered with simple keyboard taps and thundering drums on "Show Me"(Cherry Baby),aided by edgy guitar work. The title track, though a tad bit redundant chorus- wise, is bright accesssible pop with traditional INXS rhythm guitar, but still independent from soundling like "Kick IV". The result of first- class production boost Jon Farris drums to the forefront and lend a firm foundation to what would otherwise be a dull track. Same holds true for the buildup from straight foward to choppy guitar riff that takes center stage on "Girl On Fire" that saves the day.
The road trip hits multiple exits from Cowboy land to Arabian desert in the blink of an eye with bordeline comedy to boot on "Shake The Tree", where Hutchence delivers commanding monmtone delivery like an Australian Jesse James of sorts,and strikes ironic with the lyric, "Why oh why do we fool ourselves.Is it just the need to carry on?
The tinge of Middle Eastern influence and a slight bit of funk creep into the fold after Hutchence,aided with acoustic guitar, gets on the phone on "We Are Thrown Together",while "She Is Rising " with it's loose and slightly fuzzy guitar, compresses tightly against the drum section,eliminating the all too familar twang often heard on rhythm giutar arrangements. The result is both ear catching and effective,and is further aided in the background by a well- placed crack -whip effect.
The album ends on a high note with "Buliding Bridges", with slow bassy keyboard, punchy staccato riff, and doubling techniques on bass. Hutchence in question mode delivers "where has our innocence gone" and assured confidence behind the heavy backbeat with "some will take and some are given" and an off- center, un-expected chorus from the rest of the lads with Farris using the crown of his cymbal to add funky icing on the cake.
After all the smoke has cleared upon reviewing the last Michael Hutchence led INXS album,one would conjecture that this is an artwork worth the price in gold.
In actuality the lulls in action in the middle of this record drops it out of the running to be a five -star masterpiece, but the flawless production earns plus points in bringing out INXS's strengths more efficiently upon the better efforts on this record than past albums. The casual observer may actually be more impressed with "Elegantly" than the often too skeptical die- hards who often die EASY when trying to over-analyze the stats against previous records.
Since there are no half- stars on this ratings chart, do not let the three stars that are on display decieve readers of this review to believe this is a record that lacks merit.
"Elegantly Wasted" contains arguably the strongest material the band have ever beeen able to muster up, covering up the flaws well enough to almost be a four star album with a three and a half rating.

C/S.
6-19-03