1985
3 keepers
keeper avg .272
Their fifth album brought the band a new level of success, aided by four charting singles. With one of Michael Hutchence's best vocals and one of the great riffs of the 80's, the groove-y "What You Need"***** earned its top 5 position. The more dynamic though less hooky title song**** and stadium sing-along-y "This Time," which a million alternative bands would sound just like in about 20 years, also made the top 20. They mellow out with the more reserved and poppy "Kiss the Dirt (Falling Down the Mountain)" (another single) and "Shine Like It Does."
The instrumental "Three Sisters" seems an unnecessary throw-back to the band's new wave origins, and being 1985 there had to be some awful fake horns somewhere, heard here on "One x One." Fortunately these tracks (and probably "Kiss The Dirt") are the only ones that seem truly dated, and "Good + Bad Times," the driving but tuneful "Biting Bullets"****, and even the dance-y "Same Direction" have a new, surprisingly assertive rock edge. In fact, the ass-hauling "Red Red Sun" is metal enough to predict Living Colour, though it's not otherwise particularly memorable.
Comments