Well, the Aussies may have lost their claim to the America's Cup, but no big loss, they still have INXS. From the opening James Brown grunts straight through to the last slice of this licorice pizza, the BEAT reigns supreme. It's the band's boundless energy that makes this album so much fun-and also explains why the uptempo tunes wipe the floor with the slower ones. But while chest-throbbing rhythms have come to dominate the band's sound of late, their pub-rock roots are too well ingrained to be completely obliterated-the tom-dominated drum sound is accented throughout with muscular guitar lines, a devilish bass (which occasionally trades lines with the guitar, as on "Kick"), understated brass flourishes, and an underused sax. Topping it all off are the grainy vocals of chameleon singer Michael Hutchence, who can mutter like Lou Reed, demonstrate the feistiness of Chrissie Hynde, and give a bitchy shout to rival Elton John. Pop success is a given for this band, having built a rock-solid foundation through college radio play and intense live shows, and Kick should take them one step up the pop ladder without betraying their hard-earned legion of fans. Top cuts: "Need You Tonight," "Guns In The Sky," "Mediate," "Wildlife," "Kick."

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