Is The Very Best a good place to start with INXS?

Yes, The Very Best is recommended as a starting point for new INXS listeners. A vibrant collection of hits blending alternative rock and dance grooves, showcasing INXS's signature sound and charisma. Released in 2011, The Very Best comes during a period when INXS was celebrating its legacy after the passing of frontman Michael Hutchence in 1997. This compilation album encapsulates their extensive catalog, featuring tracks from their rise to fame throughout the 1980s and 1990s. It represents a nostalgic look back at their influential sound in the context of both their career and the broader music landscape.

Who is The Very Best for?

The Very Best works well if you're into infectious melodies for dancing, vibrant energy for gatherings and wave-like pacing keeps engagement.

How many songs are on The Very Best?

The Very Best has 20 tracks, running approximately 76 minutes.

Released 15 years ago this October

The Very Best

INXS · 2011

76 min · 20 tracks · alternative rock

A vibrant collection of hits blending alternative rock and dance grooves, showcasing INXS's signature sound and charisma.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Need You Tonight Start here — This track is emblematic of INXS's ability to fuse rock with dance elements, featuring an infectious groove that became a defining hit of the late '80s.
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Never Tear Us Apart — With its haunting melodies and emotional lyrics, this song showcases the band's more romantic side and remains a fan favorite at live performances.
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Devil Inside — A quintessential example of INXS’s funk-rock style, this track combines provocative lyrics with an unforgettable chorus that reflects the band's edgy persona.
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New Sensation — This energetic anthem captures the essence of the band's lively stage presence and has become synonymous with their celebratory sound.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

45 /100

Lowland

Higher than 5% of albums we've rated

A solid compilation that highlights INXS's hits but lacks a cohesive narrative or flow.

What we noticed

The album features 20 tracks, with the first half maintaining a consistent upbeat tempo before transitioning to slower songs in the second half.
Several tracks are sequenced to highlight the band's dance-oriented sound, with rhythmic grooves prominent in songs like 'Need You Tonight' and 'New Sensation'.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

infectious melodies for dancing
vibrant energy for gatherings
wave-like pacing keeps engagement
nostalgic vibes for reminiscing
dynamic flow for varied moods

Maybe skip if you

prefer slow, introspective tracks
seek minimalist soundscapes

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Fan Favorite — A compilation showcasing hits, appealing to dedicated fans of INXS.
Themes: 1980s dance-rock· Michael Hutchence's legacy· pub rock revival
Career context: Released in 2011, The Very Best comes during a period when INXS was celebrating its legacy after the passing of frontman Michael Hutchence in 1997. This compilation album encapsulates their extensive catalog, featuring tracks from their rise to fame throughout the 1980s and 1990s. It represents a nostalgic look back at their influential sound in the context of both their career and the broader music landscape.
Stylistic neighbors: Duran Duran· The B-52's· Midnight Oil