This is my opinion only and I hope some fans click with some things I say. I have loved INXS since 1987 and I to have mourned the loss of Michael. I wanted Jon Stevens to front them and was happy when he did; I also thought JD was a great fit, and then with all the is he/ isn't he confusion I recently said I was done with the band and would stick to the Hutch era. This has changed recently because I finally understood the Original Sin album and what the guys have been trying to do for 14 years. First of all INXS was always six guys and not a back up band for Michael (he drove this fact home a lot during the 20 years) so for me they deserved to continue, but of course to do so meant without Michael. I thought Jon and then JD were right to front them, I got so frustrated thinking the guys had blown their chance with both of them; now I understand that as great as they are they are not right for INXS. The 2 Jon songs and the Switch songs are good songs but for the most part they don't challenge and they sound to close to the Hutch era songs; Original Sin has been the first project to really challenge fans and critics and now Tiny Summer has taken it further. So many fans and critics slam the band for not doing songs that sound like their biggest hits which these people define as their sound; it should be sensual, funky etc, but that was only ever half of what they did and the brilliance of their musicianship. Michael was a powerful singer with his own unique voice, Jon and JD in certain ways sounded quite similar in their delivery, it wasn't until Original Sin where we got to hear completely different voices with the band and a fresh new musical approach; Rob Thomas said they needed to do Original Sin to be able to truly move on and now I get it. To truly move on they need a singer that sounds completely different to Michael, but who has a fantastic voice and a power to it like Michael had and with new music that has real substance and depth to it and that is really fresh and challenges; strong songs, strong musicianship and strong vocals because that is what they always represented so why settle for less? That era can't be bettered but they can make a new era that stands strong on it's own. I haven't been this excited for INXS in 14 years because I feel they have found their right guy, and they didn't look for him it just happened organically as it did in 1977 because as Andrew said "magic was again in the room" and I can hear that magic on Tiny Summer; it just took them 14 years to find it. I think the song is so beautiful and I feel fortunate to get it and what they're doing; I think the new singer has a fantastic voice and a real depth and quality, tinges of Bono, Chris Martin and Ian McCulloch but is also unique and offers something really different and solid. Only a singer with these qualities should stand where Michael once stood and for all these reasons is why I personally think Tiny Summer honours Michael's memory and their own legacy. So I say give Tiny Summer and the new line up when it's announced a chance and long live INXS. Remember it's my opinion not gospel. Cheers
