In 1985, Australian rock band INXS released their fifth studio album, Listen Like Thieves, and earned an international following that resulted in three straight multi-platinum albums in the U.S.

This album saw the band shifting from their New Wave/pop beginnings to a harder rock sound. As a casual fan, this is the version of INXS I know best (particularly from follow-up album Kick) so I’m curious to hear those first four albums. I’m always intrigued by bands that go through stylistic phases.

Lead-off track and first single ‘What You Need’ gave the band their first top ten hit in the U.S. (it reached #5) and introduced the sound that would dominated Kick two years later. The song was the last one written and recorded for the album, in response to producer Chris Thomas telling the band the record lacked a hit.

The others singles were ‘Listen Like Thieves,’ ‘Kiss the Dirt (Falling Down the Mountain),’ and ‘This Time.’ I was vaguely familiar with the title track but the other two were new to me. The U2-esque ‘This Time’ made the biggest impression.

The rest of the album has a great sound even as it lacks memorable hooks. The band would really bring it all together on Kick, and this album serves best as a preview of coming attractions.