Amazing and enjoyable

Maybe, if you hear this music now, released almost 25 years ago, it's gonna sound old-fashioned and even boring. But this was the real sound of the early 80s in Australia, and maybe after a few listenings you'll end up loving this, as it happened to me. Mostly, it has great melodies, and a groovy and catchy sound. Also, everloving songs... please just listen to "In vain" and the AMAZING "Learn to smile"

INXS - INXS

I'm a huge fan of INXS, and feel that this album is essential to your collection of their albums. Just a really cool album

New Wave Beginnings

They were known as one of the hardest working pub bands on the planet, but this album shows that they were products of their time at this stage in the game. You can hear and feel the influences all over this album---Elvis Costello, Blondie, English Beat. New Wave synth textures and ska touches make this a quintessential album for any new wave fan (like me). At times, the songs sound like they're straying into territory where the band isn't sure how to end things ("Learn to Smile"),but the energy of the tracks make this an upbeat affair. You can see where Hutchence is polishing up his Mick Jagger swagger with the exaggerated vocals at times, but that same style helped INXS become the band they were. Very nice for a debut. Fave tracks include "On a Bus", "Jumping", Learn to Smile", "Body Language", and "Roller Skating."

Rocket shoes on our feet!

This is the first INXS album released in 1980. Songs like "Laywer", "Newsreel Babies" and "Body language" have a ska sound which was typical of New Wave music at this time. "On a bus" on side A (track 1) is so zany that it hurts. "Wishy Washy" is a stright forward rocker with some hooks. "Learning how to smile" is a nice hint of things to come from this band.

I thought the album was pretty strange when I first heard it in 1986. "Listen like thieves" was out that year and I went back and bought all their earlier releases. And although this was their wierdest record by far, I swear it grows on you. Now I think I prefer it over Kick, if you can believe that.