INXS “Shabooh Shoobah” .. Today’s “Cool Album of the Day”

Posted 17 Oct 2010 in 80s, Albums of 1982, Albums of the 80s, Down Under, Funk Rock, Rock + Roll

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#166 in the Series) is INXS, Shabooh Shoobah.

I always had a warm spot in my heart for INXS. I’m not sure why, I think because they’re just different. I can’t really explain it. But I always felt that they had a sound that could not be compared to anyone. I think it was because of that slight bit of funk tossed into their overall makeup.

I’ve heard people say the early stuff had a U2 sound to it. I don’t think anyone was copying U2 in the 1980. Much less a band from Australia like INXS.

Two songs really stood out for me. They were the first and the last. The One Thing and Don’t Change. Two really strong numbers that influenced me to be an INXS fan for years to follow. In later years even their most worn out hits were strong tracks. You can’t say that about every successful band.

INXS was led by the late Michael Hutchence. The rest of the band then were the Farriss brothers, Andrew, Jon and Tim; Garry Gary Beers and Kirk Pengilly

Shabooh Shoobah was produced by Mark Opitz. Mark was the man in Australia at the time. He’s also produced AC/DC, The Divinyls, and the Hoodoo Gurus.

Shabooh Shoobah peaked at #46 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart.

Don’t Change peaked at #80 on the Billboard Top 100 Singles Chart.

INXS of course went crazy on the charts in later years. Not bad for a band that had to sell drugs to stay afloat in the early days. I’m sure they were the only band ever to go down that path!

— Larry Carta