INXS hasn't produced an album since 1993's "Full Moon, Dirty Hearts," an album which few of us remember and fewer of us actually bought. But 1997 brings us a new INXS album, one which is easily as good (and as strangely familiar) as classic INXS works such as "Listen Like Thieves" and "Kick."
The album "Elegantly Wasted" can simply be classified as retaining the INXS sound of a decade ago. Clearly, the band has not given up its catchy pop tunes, nor has it followed U2's path by changing its sound to keep up with current musical trends. Whether this works to INXS' advantage or not remains to be seen, but judging from the success of the intoxicating groove of the title track, people must be missing something about the '80s.
"Elegantly Wasted" begins with vocalist Michael Hutchence's familiar cockiness on "Show Me (Cherry Baby)," which continues through "Shake The Tree" and "Girl On Fire." But for every straight-ahead rock tune, there are numerous more restrained showpieces. A dose of bittersweet longing can be found in the slowly synthesized "Searching," poignant introspection on "Building Bridges" and reaffirmation on "Don't Lose Your Head." Pure pop reigns on the mellow "Everything," and "I'm Just A Man" is a lovely autobiographical centerpiece to the entire collection.
Take it or leave it, listening to "Elegantly Wasted" is a little like being in a time warp: You get the danceable songs without having to put on the acid-washed jeans. For any fan of quality pop, what could be better?
- Lise Harwin
Mustard Plug
Evildoers Beware!
Hopeless Records
It's hard to believe that any good music could come out of the Michigan area, but with the mild success of punkers Suicide Machines, and now the good, fun-loving boys of Mustard Plug, Detroit looks to be a hotbed of talent for up and coming ska-flavored bands.
"Evildoers Beware!" tends not to be too serious, which adds to its charm. The production, for a micro-indie release, is stellar, and makes the record all that much more enjoyable. "Box," which opens the record, starts out as just a tale of a guy in a box, but includes a very subtle social commentary: "Look at yourself / You're living the same / Locked behind walls that your brother has made / You were born in a box, you work in a box, you live in a box / and you'll die in a box / so much more that's outside your sphere / But you walk on by never knowing how near."
The entire album is filled with horns, catchy choruses and a lot of great rhythms, although at times the songs start to sound a little bit alike. Some of the highlights include the funny "Miss Michigan," and the driving rhythms of "Beer (Song)" and "Suburban Homesick Blues."
In the midst of all the crappy local bands in the Detroit area, it's good to see a band with a grasp of what talent is. Mustard Plug has a dedicated and rowdy fan base, and it's no wonder, with the songs that comprise "Evildoers Beware!" in their arsenal. Soon, other states might start to catch a whiff of the Mustard Plug, too.
- Colin Bartos
Floyd Dixon
Wake Up And Live!
Alligator Records
When thinking of the blues, do you envision someone moanin' and groanin' about his problems to the backdrop of slow, sad music? If so, then Floyd Dixon's album "Wake up and Live!" will change the way you think about the blues.
This 16-track CD features a variety of lively, up-tempo songs like "Hey Bartender" and "A Dream." Even though Floyd Dixon wasn't blessed with much of a singing voice, this album is still quite enjoyable because Dixon is an energetic performer and a talented piano player. He performs his songs with enthusiasm and vigor, drawing his audience's attention to the beauty of his music.
Another enjoyable element of this album is the comical aspect it presents. On "Mean And Jealous Man," Dixon tells listeners how jealous he is of other men looking at his wife. On "450 Pound Woman," Dixon gives a humorous account of his love for slightly larger women.
"Wake Up And Live!" is a funny, feel-good album that blends humor and energy with beautiful music. So, if you want to hear the down-home blues with a slightly different twist to it, then this album is definitely what you've been looking for.
- Jessica Simmons