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INXS: I’m Only Looking - The Best Of  
By Afsheen Shaikh  
Monday, 12 July 2004

It’s staggering when you realise it’s been almost seven years since the death of Michael Hutchence.  Within that period, INXS tried to continue with vocalists like Jon Stevens and Terence Trent D'Arby but with little success.  So, they must really believe in ‘third time lucky’ following a recent announcement to launch Rock Star, a new reality series seeking a frontman to fill Hutchence’s place and to propel the band to the same heights they reached in the 80s.

More poignant, however, is the release of a two-disc DVD to mark INXS’ upcoming 25th anniversary on 01 September.  I’m Only Looking  - The Best Of collates 50 INXS videos, interviews, documentary and rehearsal footage,  as well as an abundance of never-before and rarely-seen live material from 1980 up until the departure of Hutchence in 1997.  It is, as accurately described, a visual journey of one of Australia’s greatest rock bands.  Well, the only greatest one, I think.

Undoubtedly Hutchence was a rock God, oozing sensuality and jaw-droppingly sexy, both vocally and physically, though you don’t need telling when you watch him unfold on screen.  Of course in no way forgettable are the five other band members, who were and are INXS as much as Hutchence was – the Farriss brothers (Tim, Jon and Andrew), Kirk Pengilly and Garry Beers, who each give revealing insights into the creativity behind the videos as well as their personal memories.   Other than some of them gaining a few pounds and alternating from horrific mullets to questionable facial furniture over the years, it’s amusing only Andrew looks the same. 

There’s no denying this package has taken months of planning and production, particularly at how carefully it’s been presented, but one thing is certain – INXS didn’t half make some dull videos.  Most feature the band playing in or out doors (weirdly enough in cold conditions), and after half a dozen or so, they tend to obscure into one another.  It is disappointing for a band so rich with songs, which for once, are best listened to than watched.  If there is one video that stands tall, it’s ‘Need You Tonight’, technically sophisticated for its time (it brings alive the cover of Kick) with Hutchence in an open leather jacket, baring his torso.  It is the most memorable promo and certainly the first one associated with INXS. 

'Baby Don't Cry', 'The Strangest Party (These Are The Times)', 'New Sensation' and the voyeuristic 'Taste It' are the other decent videos worth watching but the rest are quickly swept to the back of the mind.  Still, they were amazing live, and the performances included here will impress both fans and admirers, not to mention the generous amount of material offered. 

Why tragedy struck such a powerful band is a question you will repeatedly ask yourself when watching this but in the name of INXS (and specifically Hutchence), it marks one anniversary and begins a new one "in perfect moments".
(4/5)

Release Date: 12 July 2004


I'm Only Looking - Best Of
 

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