U2 vs. INXS: The Careers

An idea was presented at RockBandLounge.com recently of comparing/contrasting the careers of my two favorite bands, U2 and INXS. I've actually thought about it a number of times, though I've never actually sat down and looked at them both side by side. Even with just casual observation though, there can be no denying that up until 1997 when the world lost Michael Hutchence, the paths that these two bands travelled were eerily similar.

Consider these thoughts for example. The lead singers of both bands did not begin as what you would consider natural lead singers; they became the lead singer by default, since they could not play an instrument. Both bands formed in the late 1970's and released their first albums in 1980 (Boy by U2, INXS by INXS). Each of the two bands released their second albums in 1981 (October by U2, Underneath the Colours by INXS). With the release of their third albums (Shabooh Shoobah by INXS in 1982 and War by U2 in 1983), the two bands began to show more of their true promise as future world wide musical giants, and began to really broaden their fan base. Their fourth albums (The Swing by INXS and The Unforgettable Fire by U2), both released in 1984 showed a bit more of an experimental side and more depth to their prospective lyricists' prowess. INXS released a fifth album in 1985 (Listen Like Thieves) that launched their first truly big hit in America while U2 took a bit more time touring following The Unforgettable Fire. Both bands hit the recording studio to work on what would become the best selling albums of their careers. In 1987, each band released their best known (and likely best loved) albums to date (The Joshua Tree by U2 and Kick by INXS), each of which have been certified 10x Platinum by the RIAA. By the release of the 1987 albums, both Bono and Michael Hutchence had not only found their true singing voices and blossomed vocally, but they had grown into truly gifted lyricists.

Those similarities only bring us to 1987, yet it does not stop there. While there are still many likenesses between their respective careers in the 1990's, the peaks and valleys begin to occur at different times. Following U2's ground breaking album The Joshua Tree, they toured for more than two years - filming and recording Rattle and Hum while on the road (released in 1988). At the end of 1989, Bono announced to a crowd that the band was going to take a break for a while and "dream it all up again." This sparked countless rumors that U2 was breaking up and there would be no more new music. While the rumors didn't prove to be true, it was the end to the U2 that people knew at the time as the band became far more experimental in the 1990's.

Following the massive tour behind Kick, INXS took to the studio, recorded X which was released in 1990, and hit the road again. In 1991, they played at Wembley Stadium, filming this feat for posterity, which was later released as Live Baby Live. X has often been heavily compared to Kick, and many would say that it was not a step forward from where they had been with Kick, but it still sparked several hits and sold a number of records. What it did not do, was take them to higher heights than they had experienced with Kick. In 1992, INXS released another album, Welcome to Wherever You Are. The tracks were a bit more experimental than what we had heard from them on the previous two albums, but as they did not tour following the album's release but instead went back into the studio to record another album, sales suffered. While recording Full Moon, Dirty Hearts, the band produced some of their most experimental tracks ever, partially in response to the growing "grunge" music scene that was changing the landscape of radio. Sales of Full Moon, Dirty Hearts could be considered dismal at best, in relation to the rest of the band's catalogue. INXS took a much needed break following a poorly promoted tour.

U2 went back into the studio in 1991 after some time off, re-evaluating where they were headed as a band. For the first time in their career, they truly struggled in the studio while trying to record their next album, as they couldn't quite settle on what direction they wanted to go. Eventually, through massive turmoil which nearly broke the band apart, they managed to find a sound that seemed to work, and Achtung Baby was born. The album was released in 1991 and caused widespread confusion amongst their long time fans. The sound of this album was completely different from anything they had ever done before, and some were not sure they liked it. However, it became a critical darling and attracted many more fans for the band who liked the new direction U2 was headed. Eventually, Achtung Baby sold nearly as many copies as The Joshua Tree, and U2 launched their largest tour to date. Zoo TV took on a life of its own, and became a monstrous 3 year long undertaking. In the middle of the tour, the band took what was supposed to be a 4 month break, but turned into a 4 month recording session. Zooropa was the result. Zooropa took their new sound and amplified it, and it confused many. A large number of fans were not quite sure what to think of this *new* U2 and Zooropa, though it too was a critical success. Following the mammoth Zoo TV tour, U2 took a much needed and much deserved break.

1997 marked the year that both U2 and INXS again released new music. U2 tried to determine how they could follow up the huge success of not only the Joshua Tree tour, but the monster that was Zoo TV. They decided to stage something even bigger than Zoo TV, if that were possible, and formulated the idea for PopMart. In their excitement, they sold tickets to the tour before completing the album. Unfortunately for U2, the Pop album did not come together as easily as they had hoped, and they had to rush to complete the album before they began their tour. Many would consider Pop to be their weakest album since the very early albums, and it is lacking in the youthful exuberance which makes those early albums so endearing. Sales of Pop were lower than any album since their second, October. Additionally, the PopMart tour had many technical difficulties in the early days of the tour, leaving some fans disappointed and questioning what was happening to what once was considered to be the "best band in the world." Following their break, INXS returned to the studio with fresh ideas and an excitement to get back out there. Elegantly Wasted showed a revived energy in Andrew's music, and a very introspective Michael through his lyrics. While the album showed a return to the heart of what INXS was all about, and to the formula which had always provided the band with success, sales of Elegantly Wasted did not really improve over Full Moon, Dirty Hearts though, and the tour was not as successful as the band could have desired. On November 22, 1997, Michael's life came to an end.

U2 finished the PopMart tour, and determined to never shoot themselves in the foot the way they had on that album and tour. Additionally, they decided as a group that if they got back into the studio and couldn't make what they considered to be a great album, they would call it a day. They re-entered the studio and recorded All That You Can't Leave Behind, relased in 2000. The album, once again, showed a reinvented sound and a new direction for Bono's lyrics. Some critics hailed the album as U2's third masterpiece (alongside The Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby), and the band earned multiple awards for the album. The tour was a resounding success. In 2004, they released How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, again introducing the world to yet another version of U2. The tour had to be cut shorter than the band had originally intended, though, as The Edge discovered that one of his daughters was very ill. While some fans were disgruntled over how the fanclub presales were handled, the tour was still highly successful.
After Michael's death, the rest of the members of INXS took some time to mourn and to determine what his death meant for the future of the band. They all determined that they were still a band and still wanted to make music together. Initially, they had various singers sing with them for different events. Jon Stevens spent a period of several years singing with INXS, though he was not a perfect fit.

In 2005, INXS took a career-changing chance. They performed a world-wide search for their new lead singer...on reality television. Rock Star: INXS debuted in July with 15 hopefuls singing for their chance to front Our Band: INXS. On September 21, 2005 they were finally complete again, selecting JD Fortune to become the new member of the band. Their new album, Switch, was released in November of 2005, garnering higher sales than any of their albums since X in 1990. Following the release of the album, they ventured out on a nearly 2 year long tour, with sell out shows all around the world, playing to new and old fans alike.
Looking at the careers of these two bands over the last 30 years, it is striking how well they line up. Both bands grew in the quality of their product over the same time frame, building larger and larger fan bases as they went. The pinnacle of their careers occurred at the same time. Following that, each band faced some set backs, but persevered and are still enjoying great success today, even though it may not be in the same way as they did back in their hey days.

It's no wonder why I love these bands both so much. They are bands that produce great sounding music, music with a message, music that touches the heart. And they also give so much of themselves to their fans, through that music. I feel truly blessed that the two bands that I have loved the most in my life are still out there, making new music, good music, live music...and sharing that with all of us.