INXS Listen Like Thieves 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition

INXS Revisits the Magic of Listen Like Thieves with a 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition

Michael Hutchence once described Listen Like Thieves as an album that captured the raw energy of a band playing together. “We decided to write the album in a rehearsal situation, everybody had ideas in their heads but not many of the songs were written before we rehearsed, and we wrote one song in the studio,” he told Rolling Stone in 1985.

“It wasn’t the kind of album where you put tracks down bit by bit. We’ve done the album like a live show and what is there is there. We want to present this record as a band – the idea of six people playing together and using traditional sounds,” Michael Hutchence said.

Forty years later, Listen Like Thieves remains a defining moment for INXS, the album that catapulted them from a steadily rising act to one of the world’s biggest bands.

Now, in celebration of its enduring impact, the band has announced the Listen Like Thieves (40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition), set for release on May 9, 2025. This newly expanded edition offers a fresh perspective on an album that captured INXS at their most electrifying.

The deluxe release features a brand-new 2025 remix by Giles Martin and Paul Hicks, who have unearthed new sonic textures from the original masters.

“It’s been such an honour to work on this pivotal album from INXS’s career,” said Martin, INXS’s executive music producer. “It’s a collection of recordings masterly produced by Chris Thomas, which helped the band define their own style and reach a massive global audience. It’s an iconic rock album of its age.”

Andrew Farriss echoed Martin’s sentiments, recalling the crucial role of Chris Thomas in shaping the band’s sound.

“Chris Thomas was one of the most talented and exciting producers we ever had the privilege to work with. From the moment we met, there was no doubt he would bring a new dynamic to our music, his drive and determination helped Michael and I deliver a smash hit in ‘What You Need.’ Forty years on, Giles and Paul captured the original raw energy we felt when we first recorded the album and created a sonic depth to give the record an entirely new dimension that we couldn’t be prouder of.”

Beyond the remix, the deluxe edition includes previously unreleased outtakes and studio demos, shedding new light on the album’s creative process.

One of the most exciting additions is a recently discovered BBC recording of INXS’s 1986 performance at the Royal Albert Hall, a night that cemented the band’s growing UK following.

Kirk Pengilly’s diary entry from June 24, 1986, captures the energy of the evening: “Royal Albert Hall – Sold Out! Fantastic gig, 2 genuine encores and all concerned, happy! Mick Jagger came with Matt Voss… his favourite song was ‘Biting Bullets.’”

The Listen Like Thieves era marked the band’s true arrival on the global stage. The album spawned four singles, with What You Need becoming their breakout international hit. The record climbed to No. 1 in Australia and No. 11 on the U.S. Billboard 200, spending over a year on the charts. By 1988, it had reached Platinum status, and by 1997, it was certified Double Platinum, proving its staying power in the rock canon.

Paul Sexton, who contributes new liner notes and a fresh interview with the band for this edition, describes Listen Like Thieves as a turning point.

“This lavish remounting of Listen Like Thieves is a testament to a band whose resolute focus on achieving international renown was rewarded that year with serious sales, a heavyweight hit single, and their consecration as flagbearers of the MTV generation. Forty years on, this staging post album – their first in a fruitful relationship with hallowed producer Chris Thomas – is there to be savoured by original fans and new admirers alike.”

Available in multiple formats, including a 3CD/LP Deluxe Edition, a 2CD Extended Edition, and a 40th Anniversary vinyl pressing, the reissue ensures that Listen Like Thieves continues to resonate with fans old and new. Whether revisiting its anthemic hooks or diving into unheard studio gems, this release reaffirms INXS’s status as one of the most dynamic bands of their time.

Pre-orders of Listen Like Thieves (40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) are available now. Our affiliate Amazon stocks INXS albums and merchandise

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