When INXS released Kick in October 1987, they did not merely release a hit record; they delivered a masterclass in modern pop-rock synthesis that fundamentally redefined the sound, look, and global reach of Australian rock music. Situated at the crossroads of post-punk grit, dance-floor rhythm, and arena-rock grandeur, Kick transformed a hard-touring pub band from Sydney into one of the biggest stadium acts on the planet. Its impact on the music industry, video culture, and the fusion of rock and dance music remains a benchmark for crossover success.
By the late 1980s, rock and dance music largely occupied separate worlds. Mainstream rock was often defined by heavy guitar riffs and big hair, while dance floors belonged to synth-pop, disco descendants, and emerging house music. Kick shattered this divide by treating the rhythm section as the heart of a rock band. Kick provided a blueprint for how rock music could thrive in a decade increasingly dominated by electronic dance beats. Kick permanently changed how pop, rock, and dance music interacted. The album's hybrid sound paved the way for subsequent crossover acts in the late 1980s and 1990s—influencing everything from alternative dance groups like Jesus Jones and EMF to mainstream pop producers who began adopting funk-rock guitar hooks into dance tracks.
An album’s musical brilliance requires a voice to carry it to the masses, and in Michael Hutchence, INXS possessed one of the most compelling frontmen in rock history. Before Kick, mainstream rock charisma was often defined by theatrical bravado or metal swagger. Hutchence brought something entirely different: effortless cool, raw sensuality, and relaxed vocal mastery. Hutchence’s image—framed by tumbling curls, leather jackets, and magnetic stage presence—offered a fresh visual language for rock frontmen. He bridged the gap between the dark magnetism of Jim Morrison and the pop elegance of Prince, making INXS instantly iconic across global media outlets.
Kick stands as a high-water mark of 1980s popular music. By daring to put rhythm, funk, and dance floor sensibility at the forefront of a rock album, INXS crafted a record that felt modern, dangerous, and irresistibly catchy. Driven by Michael Hutchence’s undeniable star power, brilliant band chemistry, and visionary video production, Kick did not just elevate INXS into the pantheon of global superstars—it permanently broadened the boundaries of what a rock band could sound like.
So This week in honor of the 39th anniversary of the release of their album Kick the ACRO to redefine is INXS. Albeit a forced ACRO but one that technically is one... meaning In Excess
Please have your definitions in by Friday at 6 am so we can get the vote up prior to the weekend. Thank You
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