INXS - Underneath the Colours [Rocktober Grape Colored Vinyl]

INXS were still developing the blend of new wave, rock, funk, and pop that would define their later international success when they recorded Underneath the Colours, their second studio album. Produced by Australian singer-songwriter Richard Clapton, the record gives Michael Hutchence and Andrew Farriss more room to shape the band's songwriting while guitars, keyboards, saxophone, bass, and Jon Farriss' drums remain central to the arrangements.

"Stay Young" opens with a fast, compact arrangement and one of the album's most immediate choruses, while "Horizons" stretches past five minutes with a more expansive structure. "Big Go Go" brings a sharper rhythmic pulse and group-written approach, and the title track slows the pace while giving Hutchence's vocal more space against guitar, keyboards, saxophone, bass, and drums. "Night of Rebellion" returns to a firmer rock drive before the album's second half moves into ten shorter, concise songs.

The album documents INXS before the commercial breakthrough of Shabooh Shoobah, with Michael Hutchence's songwriting becoming more developed and the band's early new wave identity taking clearer shape. This Rocktober limited edition is pressed on grape colored vinyl and was issued for participating independent brick-and-mortar record stores in the United States and Canada.

• Format: Vinyl LP
• Standout tracks: Stay Young, Horizons, Underneath the Colours, Night of Rebellion
• Pressing details: Rocktober Limited Edition, Indie Exclusive, Grape Colored Vinyl
• Genre/style: New Wave, Rock, Pop Rock
• UPC: 081227802738

"Stay Young" and "Night of Rebellion" are the best-known entry points, while "Horizons" and the title track show the range INXS were building into their second album. Underneath the Colours captures the band before its international profile expanded.

* The Spotify track list may not exactly represent the tracks and audio of this LP edition.

Track List:

Side A:

1. Stay Young
2. Horizons
3. Big Go Go
4. Underneath The Colours
5. Fair Weather Ahead

Side B:

1. Night Of Rebellion
2. Follow
3. Barbarian
4. What Would You Do
5. Just To Learn Again