The Crate
INXS
Kick
Kick is the sixth studio album by Australian rock band INXS, released October 12, 1987. Produced by Chris Thomas, it was recorded in Sydney and Paris and became the group’s global breakthrough, delivering four US Top 10 singles and establishing INXS as a worldwide act. The title and its videos helped define late-80s MTV-era pop-rock. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kick_%28INXS_album%29))
2. Recording History
- Recording studio/location: Began January 1987 at Rhinoceros Studios in Sydney, with additional work in Paris. Engineer David Nicholas assisted; Thomas produced. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kick_%28INXS_album%29))
- Producers/engineers: Chris Thomas produced; David Nicholas assisted; mixing by Bob Clearmountain at AIR Studios in London. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kick_%28INXS_album%29))
- Recording dates/sessions: Principal tracking started January 1987; European tour dates prompted new material sessions, including Hong Kong writing for certain tracks. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kick_%28INXS_album%29))
- Notable techniques/equipment: The album blended funk-dance textures with rock, featuring prominent synths and digital rhythms; Clearmountain’s mix contributed a polished, radio-friendly sheen. ([musicradar.com](https://www.musicradar.com/artists/i-gave-it-to-michael-he-said-fantastic-and-he-wrote-that-lyric-in-one-stream-of-consciousness-i-would-say-that-song-was-written-in-about-ten-minutes-how-spontaneity-was-the-key-for-inxs-to-create-a-funky-no-1-hit?utm_source=openai))
3. Chart Performance & Recognition
- Chart positions: No. 1 in Australia; No. 3 on the US Billboard 200; No. 9 in the UK; No. 15 in Austria. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kick_%28INXS_album%29))
- Certifications/sales: US six times Platinum (6 million), UK Platinum, Australia multi-Platinum (seven times), Canada Diamond; additional Platinum in France, Spain, Switzerland. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kick_%28INXS_album%29))
- Awards: At the 1988 MTV Video Music Awards, INXS earned multiple awards including Video of the Year for Need You Tonight/Mediate. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kick_%28INXS_album%29))
- Critical reception: Widely regarded as the band’s commercial peak; Rolling Stone and other outlets highlighted Kick in year-end lists and 80s retrospectives. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kick_%28INXS_album%29))
4. Cultural Impact & Legacy
- Influence: Kick helped define rhythm rock and dance-inflected rock for the era, fueling INXS’s lasting mainstream popularity. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kick_%28INXS_album%29))
- Covers/samples: The album includes a new recording of The Loved Ones’ The Loved One, a notable cover on Kick. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kick_%28INXS_album%29))
- Enduring status: Often cited as INXS’s best-selling album, with ongoing recognition and reissues; the gatefold sleeve famously shows all six band members. ([classicpopmag.com](https://www.classicpopmag.com/features/classic-album/classic-album-inxs-kick/?utm_source=openai))
Note: Kick’s commercial reach remains substantial, with reported global sales approaching two decades after release. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kick_%28INXS_album%29))