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Rhino presents

INXS What You Need: The Video Hits Collection (2005)

"Every single one of us, the devil inside."- Michael Hutchence

Stars: INXS
Director: various

MPAA Rating: Not Rated for (nothing objectionable)
Run Time: 01h:17m:34s
Release Date: 2005-06-07
Genre: music

Style
Grade
Substance
Grade
Image Transfer
Grade
Audio Transfer
Grade
Extras
Grade
B ACB+ D-

 

DVD Review

I've always considered the late, great ex-INXS lead singer, Michael Hutchence, the Jim Morrison of the '80s. Sure, this is based mostly on his looks and penchant for leather pants, but if you listen carefully enough, and consider his early, mysterious death, you'll make the connection, too.

Die-hard INXS fans are about to have a nightmare realized, as the band is on the hunt for a new lead singer, and, instead of doing the old-fashioned thing and auditioning people, they are using a reality show as their mode of discovery. This upcoming show will be similar to American Idol, but the winner will be crowned the new INXS front man, and will get to tour with the band. But, if you're like me, and just can't even contemplate anyone singing What You Need other than Hutchence, you can now watch every INXS video in the new DVD release, INXS What You Need: The Video Hits Collection.

I'm sure every fan has their favorites, but it doesn't get much better than Kiss the Dirt (Falling Down the Mountain). This song is grossly underrated among the band's arsenal of hits, but it features the perfect mixture of up-tempo pop rock and unique vocal stylings that defined INXS as a chart topper. Of course that video is here, so now we can repeatedly analyze each and every step of Michael Hutchence's amazingly spastic dance moves.

The mega hits are here also, including the classics What You Need, Need You Tonight, Devil Inside, and New Sensation. These are songs that catapulted INXS into the annals of '80s superstars, but, unfortunately, they could never be matched. Hutchence and the boys basically faded away from the pop scene, especially when the grunge explosion occurred in the early 1990s.

Michael Hutchence died in 1997, found hanged in a hotel room. Rumors swirled surrounding his death, with the general consensus being that he killed himself due to his failed marriage. There was also speculation that it was an accidental death, brought on by a strange sexual practice gone awry. Still, despite this tragedy, Hutchence's legacy will live forever in these classic songs that will never be forgotten.

The music videos in INXS What You Need: The Video Hits Collection are:
Just Keep Walking
The One Thing
Don't Change
Original Sin
This Time
What You Need
Kiss the Dirt (Falling Down the Mountain)
Listen Like Thieves
Need You Tonight
Mediate
Devil Inside
Never Tear Us Apart
New Sensation
Mystify
Suicide Blonde
Disappear
Shining Star
Beautiful Girl
The Gift
Elegantly Wasted

Rating for Style: B
Rating for Substance: A

 

Image Transfer

 One
Aspect Ratio1.33:1 - Full Frame
Original Aspect Ratioyes
Anamorphicno


Image Transfer Review: If you're looking for revelatory, brand-spankin' new video transfers, you're in the wrong place, because each video looks only slightly better than it did during its initial run on MTV. Still, despite what the age of the source material inherently brings to the table, purists will be pleased that things look just like they remember them. The newer videos do feature very impressive image detail and sharpness. The colors are bright and vivid in the newer videos too, and dirt and grain are virtually nonexistent.

Image Transfer Grade: C
 

Audio Transfer

 LanguageRemote Access
DS 2.0Englishyes
Dolby Digital
5.1
Englishyes
DTSEnglishyes


Audio Transfer Review: The three audio options are Dolby Digital 5.1, 2.0, and DTS. The Dolby Digital 2.0 is adequate, and the DTS is very solid, but the Dolby Digital 5.1 is easily the best of the bunch, thanks to its much wider dynamic range. A surprise blowout victory over the DTS mix, the Dolby Digital is just more lively, with the music bursting out of each and every speaker.

Audio Transfer Grade: B+ 

Disc Extras

Animated menu with music
Music/Song Access with 20 cues and remote access
Packaging: Keep Case
Picture Disc
1 Disc
1-Sided disc(s)
Layers: dual

Extras Review: There are no extras on this disc whatsoever.

Extras Grade: D-
 

Final Comments

Having every INXS video in one, nice DVD is a welcome addition to any fan's collection. However, despite the awesome Dolby Digital and DTS audio, a few extra features would have been a plus.

Chuck Aliaga 2005-06-06