INXS “Underneath the Colours” released 40 years ago today, October 19th, 1981 (in Australia only, they released it to other markets a year or so later). INXS’ second LP went to no. 15 in Australia. Maybe it’s because I have little to no emotional connection to Underneath the Colours, unlike most of INXS’ other 80′s releases, but I’m really not crazy about this record. The funky title track “Underneath the Colours” is pretty good (I believe released as a single in New Zealand, no idea if charted or not) as is the dark, post-punkish “Barbarian,” but the rest of the album is pretty bland new wave pop with little to none of their later infectious and anthemic sound. Besides the title track, they also released “Stay Young” (#21 Australia) and “Night of Rebellion” as singles. In 1982 INXS put out Shabooh Shoobah which took their sound in a new direction, one that gave them international success.