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Kick

by INXS

Released: October 19, 1987

New wave, pop rock, funk rock, dance-rock

musicOnOff editorial

Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Experimental Album.

The Album

"Kick" is the sixth studio album by Australian rock band INXS, released on 19 October 1987. The recording began in early 1987 at Rhinoceros Studios in Sydney, and sessions included a writing retreat in Hong Kong where the iconic "Need You Tonight" was born. The album generated four top 10 U.S. singles: "New Sensation," "Never Tear Us Apart," "Devil Inside," and "Need You Tonight," the latter reaching number one.

Inside the Recording

Produced by Chris Thomas, it marked the band's most successful release, achieving six-times platinum certification in the U.S. and peaking at number three on the Billboard 200.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

The lyrical themes varied from love and fun…

The lyrical themes varied from love and fun to social commentary, evident in songs like "Devil Inside" and "Mediate." Despite initial rejection from Atlantic Records due to its unconventional style, the album found success through strategic radio promotion, particularly with college stations.

Following the success of their previous album, Listen…

Following the success of their previous album, Listen Like Thieves, INXS aimed to create an album with the potential for multiple hit singles.

Musically, Kick blended funk and rock, allowing the…

Musically, Kick blended funk and rock, allowing the band to explore new sounds.

The subsequent tour showcased the album's tracks and…

The subsequent tour showcased the album's tracks and solidified INXS's status in the rock scene.

Watch and listen

Explore the Album

INXS - Kick

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Then

Reception

Produced by Chris Thomas, it marked the band's most successful release, achieving six-times platinum certification in the U.S. and peaking at number three on the Billboard 200. Kick remains a defining work in the band's career, noted for its innovation and commercial success.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Kick" is the sixth studio album by Australian rock band INXS, released on 19 October 1987. Produced by Chris Thomas, it marked the band's most successful release, achieving six-times platinum certification in the U.S. and peaking at number three on the Billboard 200. The album generated four top 10 U.S. singles: "New Sensation," "Never Tear Us Apart," "Devil Inside," and "Need You Tonight," the latter reaching number one.

Following the success of their previous album, Listen Like Thieves, INXS aimed to create an album with the potential for multiple hit singles. The recording began in early 1987 at Rhinoceros Studios in Sydney, and sessions included a writing retreat in Hong Kong where the iconic "Need You Tonight" was born.

Musically, Kick blended funk and rock, allowing the band to explore new sounds. The lyrical themes varied from love and fun to social commentary, evident in songs like "Devil Inside" and "Mediate."

Despite initial rejection from Atlantic Records due to its unconventional style, the album found success through strategic radio promotion, particularly with college stations. The subsequent tour showcased the album's tracks and solidified INXS's status in the rock scene.

Kick remains a defining work in the band's career, noted for its innovation and commercial success.