Accelerated Culture
Episode 72: INXS’ “Welcome to Wherever You Are” (1992)
August 30, 2025
Hosts: Lori and Scott Free
Episode Overview
This episode marks the three-year anniversary of Accelerated Culture, where hosts Lori and Scott Free dive deep into INXS’s overlooked yet pivotal 1992 album, Welcome to Wherever You Are. The discussion blends historical context, personal anecdotes, and music criticism, shedding new light on the album’s creation, its critical and commercial reception, and its place in INXS’s legacy. The hosts cover each track in detail, explore iconic videos, and discuss the cultural climate that shaped—and was shaped by—this record.
Key Points & Discussion Highlights
Intro and Listener Engagement
- Podcast Milestone: Three years of Accelerated Culture, over 430,000 downloads (02:13)
- Quote: “Here we are a little over a year later and we've crossed 430,000. That is bananas.” — Scott (02:29)
- Listener Shoutouts: Mentions from listeners (Christine from ‘Stereo Thematica’), and recommend ‘Synth and Swagger’ Substack (03:11–06:58)
Personal Catch-Ups
- Scott talks about personal renovations and attending Nine Inch Nails on their Peel It Back World Tour (07:10–09:55)
- Quote: “Trent Reznor has never been better… really cannot recommend this show highly enough.” — Scott (08:39)
INXS: Band and Album Background
Band Recap and Lineup
- Band Members: Michael Hutchence (vocals), Kirk Pengilly (sax/rhythm guitar), Gary Beers (bass), Tim, Andrew, and Jon Farriss (guitar, keys, drums) (12:58)
- Fun Fact: Gary Beers is also called “Gary Gary” due to their manager also sharing the name (13:13)
- Band Origins: Formation in Sydney, originally named The Farriss Brothers, renamed inspired by XTC (14:46–15:00)
Lead-Up to Welcome to Wherever You Are
- Post-"X" Period: Exhaustive touring, personal distractions—band members experiencing major life events (birth, marriage/divorce, medical issues) (17:17–21:39)
- Production Shift: Desire for creative adventure, switch from Chris Thomas to returning producer Mark Opitz for a more experimental direction (23:39)
- Quote: “We kind of felt the same about X... it hasn't left the time that maybe we would like to be creative. So INXS approached Welcome to wherever you are with an eye towards change or at least towards musical adventure.” — Michael Hutchence in article cited by Scott (17:17)
Industry & Cultural Context
- Music Industry Shifts: Grunge and alt-rock (Nirvana, Pearl Jam) reshaping the charts—INXS opts not to go grunge, but to expand sonically (24:24)
- Management Tension: INXS wanted a year off; manager C.M. Murphy wanted to continue their momentum (23:42)
Album Reception & Artwork
Reception and Chart Performance
- Platinum in the US, number one in the UK and Sweden, number two in Australia (26:44)
- “Mixed bag” reviews—some call it their best, others see it as a transitional, adventurous album (26:05)
Album Cover
- Features three boys from the Artane Boys Band in Ireland; described as “creepy,” with a subtle theme of exploration and travel (27:08–29:09)
Track-By-Track Discussion
1. Questions (29:20)
- Experimental opener with Andrew Farriss on lead vocals; Middle Eastern instrumentation and processed effects set the tone for sonic departure.
- Quote: “This is not your typical INXS track. But then the vocal part... it’s so heavily processed... it’s cool and unusual.” — Scott (31:00)
- Instrumental ties to another album track, as revealed later (32:28)
2. Heaven Sent (33:15)
- Classic INXS rocker; first single outside the US.
- Quote: “Just a straight up banger... old school rock and roll, like right from the get go.” — Scott (33:38)
- Notable for clever lyrics:
- “Tuesday, she works in the library uptown. Sometimes in life you get a second look.” — Michael Hutchence, noted by Lori (35:16)
- Did not chart in the US as a single but reached #2 on US Alternative Airplay.
3. Communication (37:41)
- Lyrics reflect the 24-hour news cycle and desensitization to global events (39:30)
- Quote: “Lyrically, it’s very much of its moment... it looks like a video game, and you’re seeing it on loop on TV and just the desensitization that happens.” — Scott (40:25)
- Production features telecommunications effects, classic INXS chorus structure.
4. Taste It (42:13)
- Bluesy track with a controversial, banned-by-MTV music video featuring party debauchery in a suburban setting.
- Video: Directed by Bailey Walsh (Massive Attack connection)
- Quote: “That whole video, it's frenetic at points... But oh my God, that video is so sexy.” — Lori (46:56)
- Released as the fourth single, moderate charting.
5. Not Enough Time (48:31)
- Sultry, chart-topping US single, notable for Deni Hines’ backing vocals and a romantic underwater video.
- Quote: “That is a sexy, sensual song. I freaking love it.” — Lori (49:22)
- Quote: “It’s just a really big, slickly produced mega pop song... I have zero problem with this.” — Scott (50:41)
- Song originally split from “The Indian Song” (now available as a bonus track).
6. Men & Women (90:39, discussed as final album track)
- Ominous closer, spaghetti-western feel, live orchestra.
- Quote: “Basically it's never tear us apart but in a spaghetti Western.” — Scott (91:13)
- Recorded live with orchestra, a unique experience for the session musicians.
7. Back on Line (85:06)
- Old-school INXS sound, big piano, metaphorical meaning (about regaining one’s groove, not the internet).
- Written by Michael Hutchence and Jon Farriss (rare outside the Andrew/Michael partnership).
8. Baby Don’t Cry (63:04)
- Features a 60-piece orchestra, bombastic sound.
- Controversial video and performance at ‘Concert for Life’ led to backlash in Australia.
- Quote: “Here, it feels a bit bloated. The hugeness of the horns overshadows the song, as does the choir... let’s take this okay song and make it gigantic.” — Scott (63:05)
9. Beautiful Girl (72:15)
- Sweet, piano-led pop ballad that achieved YouTube longevity (40M views).
- Written about Andrew Farris’s daughter Grace.
- Video focused on women’s issues (eating disorders)—a bit heavy-handed per Lori’s critique.
10. Other Tracks: "Strange Desire," "Wishing Well," "All Around," etc.
- “Wishing Well” discussed as a dark, groovy standout. (78:42)
- Several tracks noted for lack of rhyme scheme, more freeform/abstract lyrics (89:50).
- “All Around” and “Strange Desire” noted as solid, occasionally generic but lifted by performance and arrangement.
Album Themes & Sonic Shifts
- Abandoning the tight pop-funk sound of previous INXS albums in favor of experimentation, orchestral arrangements, darker lyrical content, and new vocal/instrumental effects.
- Some tracks hearken back to early new wave and dance-rock, while others set the stage for broader, more mature musical horizons.
Singles, Promotion & Backlash
- Unusual Single Release Strategies: Simultaneous but region-specific singles ("Not Enough Time” in US, “Baby Don’t Cry” in UK/AUS).
- No Tour: Decision not to tour for the album (following controversy and backlash in Australia) possibly hurt chart performance (69:23–70:50).
- ‘Concert for Life’ Baggage: The use of the orchestra and subsequent Australian “Tall Poppy Syndrome” led to negative press.
- Era of Fatigue: Both band and fans were ready for change, and the musical landscape was shifting rapidly.
- Quote: “There was a little bit of backlash, some INXS fatigue... I'd be lying if I said I didn't experience that either. I didn’t come to this album until much later than 92.” — Lori (37:12)
Notable Chart Factoids
- Album Sales: Platinum in the US, 2M+ worldwide (Legendary, but less than “Kick”)
- Beautiful Girl: 40M+ YouTube streams, outpacing “Not Enough Time”
Michael Hutchence’s Accident and Legacy
- Days after the album’s release, Hutchence suffered a traumatic brain injury in Copenhagen.
- Lost sense of smell/taste, noted behavioral changes, contributed to later struggles.
- Quote: “If we had known back then what we know now about traumatic brain injury, maybe things would have been different for him. Maybe he'd still be with us.” — Lori (99:55)
Favorite Tracks
- Scott: “Wishing Well,” with “Not Enough Time” as most played (93:15)
- Lori: “Heaven Sent” for its classic rock vibe and literary shoutout, with “Not Enough Time” close behind (94:22)
Closing Thoughts & Next Episode
- Welcome to Wherever You Are is seen as a creative risk and an underappreciated gem, landing around middle-upper tier in INXS’s discography.
- Quote: “In a world where ‘Kick’ exists, I have a hard time [calling it the best], but all right… You could do way worse.” — Scott (95:51)
- Next Episode Teaser: Stereolab's debut Penguin!
Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)
- “World domination is right on schedule.” — Lori (02:57)
- “For anyone else, this would be an amazing song. But the bar is so high for INXS…” — Lori on “All Around” (58:14)
- “Guess what, I got a fever and the only prescription is more cowbell.” — Scott on “Strange Desire” (89:15)
- “There was a little bit of backlash, some INXS fatigue... I'd be lying if I said I didn't experience that either. I didn’t come to this album until much later than 92.” — Lori (37:12)
- “If we had known back then what we know now about traumatic brain injury, maybe things would have been different for him. Maybe he'd still be with us.” — Lori (99:55)
Key Timestamps
- 10:18 – Introduction to INXS & Recap of Previous Episodes
- 17:17 – Band’s Status & Artistic Direction Pre-1992
- 26:44 – Album Chart Performance & Reception
- 29:20 – Track-by-track Discussion Begins
- 46:56 – “Taste It” Video Analysis
- 48:31 – Signature Single: “Not Enough Time”
- 69:23 – Backlash & Decision Not to Tour
- 85:06 – “Back on Line”: Old School INXS Sound
- 99:55 – Michael Hutchence’s Accident & Legacy
Tone & Language
- Engaged, witty, and analytic; hosts balance deep fandom with critical perspective.
- Plenty of humor, personal insights, and affectionate ribbing between co-hosts.
- Celebrates both INXS’s strengths and humanizes their challenges.
For new listeners: This episode offers a thorough, song-by-song examination of INXS’s artistic journey with Welcome to Wherever You Are, blending historical context, musicology, and fan passion—while pulling back the curtain on the costs and triumphs of reinvention at the dawn of the 1990s. If you haven’t heard the album, this deep-dive will inspire you to revisit—or discover—its hidden treasures.