INXS Invite Ben Harper, Rob Thomas To Cover Their Classic Hits

As a longtime fan of INXS I am both troubled and enthusiastic about this report via Rolling Stone: INXS are planning to re-imagine their big hits with different arrangements and singers. Those singers include Ben Harper, Rob Thomas and the Killers’ Brandon Flowers. So on one hand the idea of anyone besides Michael Hutchence singing “What You Need” is downright blasphemy, but on the other hand it might be cool to hear what Ben Harper can do with “Devil Inside.”

The still-untitled album is scheduled for a fall release.

” ‘Original Sin’ with Rob Thomas almost has a Cuban connection with some Spanish rap in it. That was really exciting,” drummer Jon Farris tells Rolling Stone, adding that Thomas also recorded a version of “Never Tear Us Apart.”

See, right there. Part of me shudders at the thought of a non-Hutchence version of such a great tune, but then again I kind of dig Rob Thomas so maybe it won’t be all bad to hear his take.

According to the story, Brandon Flowers did a version of “Beautiful Girl” when the Killers were in Australia for V-Fest, Harper did the aforementioned “Devil Inside” and there’s word that Nikka Costa and Tricky are also involved with the album.

“Everyone who sings on the stuff has their own style, their own take on things, and that’s why it’s so wonderful,” Farriss added.

Farriss went on to add that INXS will record another original album down the road, but the new collection is being looked upon as “a transitional step.”

Farriss:

“We wanted to use to some of our existing songs and invite and integrate some well-known singers and very experienced and seasoned singers, friends of ours, and some up-and-coming artists, and just make it a collaboration of getting INXS to be involved in all sorts of things — and using the original material as the focal point.”

Michael Hutchence was the quintessential lead singer and INXS were really hitting on all cylinders leading up to his untimely death – even if their (very sizable) fringe audience that latched on around the Kick years eventually moved on. But the band had ever right to continue and did so with the Rockstar: INXS winner J.D. Fortune. Whether or not Fortune is the long-term solution remains a mystery. Probably not if you go by Farriss’ comments to RS, but at least the band is still around – this is a good thing.

Ben Harper singing “Devil Inside” doesn’t seem like such a bad idea. It’ll be interesting to see who else they bring in to sing some of INXS’ very best tunes; definitely want to see a track-listing ASAP.