You may be forgiven for never hearing of Max Q or this album as it had relatively minor world wide success.
It was created by a group of respected but relatively unknown (outside of Australia) musicians although you may have heard of the groups singer. A few seconds into the vocal on the opening track ‘Sometimes’ the familiar voice of Michael Hutchence comes oozing through.
‘Sometimes’ got a fair bit of air play on MTV when it was released in 1989, not only is it a great track but the video features close ups of Hutchence throughout which doesn’t hurt, right?
By contrast, the video accompanying the follow up single ‘Weight Of The World’ was consigned to later in the schedule as it was filmed in a much edgier style showing flashes of news reports about conflict from around the world.
The album is sometimes referred to as Hutchence’s first solo album which is a little unfair as multi instrumentalist and producer Ollie Olsen wrote or co-wrote every song on the LP but the INXS singer was certainly the figurehead of the band.
Olsen has a background of electronic and experimental music and his influence can be heard throughout this album. With looped percussion, distorted vocals and wailing guitar solos, this album is a long way from the likes of ‘Need You Tonight’ or ‘Never Tear Us Apart’.
This record should have shifted more units and Max Q should have gone on to bigger and better things but with Hutchence returning to INXS the project fizzled out.
The album has long since been deleted but there some available on Discogs if you fancy taking a punt.
Tracks To Try: ‘Sometimes’, ‘Weight Of The World’, ‘Buckethead’, ‘Monday Night By Satellite’, ‘Ot-Ven-Rot’.