Pete From Maine Writes: Such a great album from end to end. Ironically, "The One Thing" was the only track from the album that ever got serious airplay in the US, but it's one of the weakest songs. The lyrics throughout the album are not exactly 'fine art' in terms of their content, but they are universal and they work well with the music. There are loads of great hooks throughout, and many beautiful New Wave elements are stitched in; subtly, but so effective, especially for those who appreciate the context of the time the record was released. At times, the chord changes go in unexpected, but mesmerizing directions. The choruses are particularly strong, even in some of the weaker songs (Spy of Love is a good example). Something about the melodies and hooks just evokes the feeling of the era so perfectly. It brings you right back to the early '80's, when innovative music required a little extra effort to find, when we tuned our FM dials far left, to the renegade college radio stations that combed the planet for anything new and different. If you were alive, alert, and rocking out in that little window of history, you will melt when you hear this stuff. I LOVE this album to the point where I will just sit and listen at high volume, on vinyl, just me and my cat and some half decent whiskey, hoping the neighbors can't hear me singing along.

Shabooh Shoobah is the third studio album by Australian rock band INXS, released on 13 October 1982. It was a breakthrough album for the band, as it marked their first international success and exposure. The album features a blend of new wave, rock, and post-punk influences, and showcases the band’s catchy hooks, energetic rhythms, and charismatic vocals.

The album was produced by Mark Opitz, who had previously worked with AC/DC, Cold Chisel, and The Angels. Opitz helped the band achieve a more polished and powerful sound, while retaining their raw edge and originality. The band recorded the album at Paradise Studios and Rhinoceros Studios in Sydney, Australia, with most of the songs written by Andrew Farriss and Michael Hutchence.

The album spawned four singles: “The One Thing”, “Don’t Change”, “To Look at You”, and “Black and White”. “The One Thing” was the first single to be released, and it became a hit in Australia, reaching No. 14 on the Kent Music Report. It also gained attention in the US, where it peaked at No. 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 and received heavy airplay on MTV. The song features a distinctive guitar riff, a funky bass line, and a sensual video that caused some controversy for its suggestive imagery.

“Don’t Change” was the second single, and it is considered one of the band’s signature songs. It is an anthemic rock song that expresses a defiant attitude and a desire to stay true to oneself. It reached No. 18 in Australia, and has been covered by several artists, including The Audreys, Everclear, and The Goo Goo Dolls. The song also became a popular choice for sports teams and events, such as the Sydney Swans AFL team and the 2000 Summer Olympics.

“To Look at You” was the third single, and it is a synth-driven pop song that showcases Hutchence’s vocal range and charisma. It reached No. 36 in Australia and No. 36 in the US. The song also features a saxophone solo by Kirk Pengilly, who played multiple instruments on the album.

“Black and White” was the fourth and final single, and it is a political song that criticizes racism and oppression. It reached No. 37 in Australia, but did not chart in the US. The song features a guest appearance by Australian singer-songwriter Jenny Morris, who provided backing vocals.

Shabooh Shoobah received positive reviews from critics, who praised the band’s versatility, creativity, and energy. The album peaked at No. 5 on the ARIA Albums Chart in Australia, where it stayed on the chart for 94 weeks. It also reached No. 52 on the Billboard 200 in the US, where it sold over 500,000 copies and was certified gold by the RIAA. The album also charted in Canada, New Zealand, Sweden, and the UK.

Shabooh Shoobah is widely regarded as one of INXS’s best albums, and as a classic of Australian rock music. It established the band as a global force in the music scene of the early 1980s, and paved the way for their future success with albums such as Listen Like Thieves (1985), Kick (1987), and X (1990). Shabooh Shoobah is also notable for its iconic cover art, which features a close-up of Hutchence’s face with his eyes closed and his mouth open.