It’s understandable to question the validity of INXS sans singer Michael Hutchence. But let’s move beyond that for a second, as Hutchence died in 1997.
INXS is now fronted by J.D. Fortune, a sprightly young performer with the sly moves of a Vegas musician and the husky vocals of a pack-a-day bar rocker. Fortune is the former Elvis impersonator fronting the band via his performance on the TV spectacular “Rock Star: INXS,” and the Canadian is the Australian band’s future.
But while multiple of the INXS-founding Farriss brothers wore shades at the Lecture Hall at the Colorado Convention Center on Monday night, they weren’t doing so because of the brightness of their future. Fortune’s voice was absolutely shot less than three songs into the show.
That was all it took – the opening triad of “Suicide Blonde,” “New Sensation” and the new “Devil’s Party” – and Fortune was singing and talking like a 65-year-old trucker nearing tracheal collapse.
The band was tight and on – albeit a good, obvious 20 years older than its lead singer – but Fortune couldn’t handle the material, whether it was Hutchence’s soaring falsettos in “Original Sin” or his own prowly, sultry bass draws in “Pretty Vegas,” which came toward the end of the show.
The band played on a simple yet effective set of shiny, pretty objects, from Jon Farriss’ chrome drum kit to Fortune’s glistening chest and stomach, which were increasingly shown off via his constant unbuttoning.
In “Mystify” and “By My Side,” he proved his catlike ability to move effortlessly, but his voice deteriorated. (He later explained that his doctor requested he stay in bed. Maybe he should have listened.)
“Afterglow,” a lackluster new track, was pathetic on all counts.
This is INXS today, and while they’re pretty on the eyes, they’re not so easy to listen to – without flinching. Later came the new “Perfect Stranger” and the standards “Need You Tonight,” “What You Need,” “Devil Inside,” “Never Tear Us Apart” and “Don’t Change,” but all the while it was impossible to not think of one change – the change – and its repercussions.
Rest in peace, Michael Hutchence, who would have been 46 last week. INXS passed with you.
Pop music critic Ricardo Baca can be reached at 303-820-1394 or rbaca@denverpost.com.
