Search - Fixx :: Elemental

An album of seamless, thoughtful art-pop

tndfabiano@webtv.net | Overland Park, KS | 06/29/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The radio and commercial fortunes of the Fixx have been on the decline since "Reach the Beach" and the underrated "Phantoms." And while they have turned out worthy singles -- "Driven Out," "Secret Separation," "How Much is Enough" -- they haven't put together a tight album since "Phantoms"... until this one. No second half let-down, as with "Ink" and "Calm Animals." A must-have for fans of the Fixx and a great re-introduction of a band on its way back."

Fixx's comeback LP fails to re-capture magic

cssuperstar2003 | Wilmington, NC USA | 06/10/2003

(2 out of 5 stars)

"By C.S.If you want to talk about New Wave with a distinctive sound, then look no further than the London based outfit known as the Fixx
Channeled through the efforts of vocalist Cy Curnin, the supporting cast members Adam Woods(drums), Dan K. Brown on bass (who came on board between the "Phantoms" and 1986's "Walkabout") Jaime West Oram (guitars), and the swooping synth / keyboard sounds of Rupert Greenall, the band always craftily dropped political bombs with complex, and progressive funk- based sounds that put them ahead of other outfits.
After "Saved By Zero" and the"Reach The Beach" LP hit big on North American shores in 1983, allowing for their first record "Shuttered Room" to recieve exposure along with the success of "Phantoms", the eccentric sound and the New Wave genre as a whole, seemingly had hit it's peak.
"Walkabout" (arguably their best effort)Calm Animals"!(1989) and "Ink"(1991),were released without much fan fare. It seemed as though British New Wave and groups that were like minded were a thing of the past.
Almost eight years pased until the release of this record, "Elemental" in 1999.

The trademark gloss is used in a scaled down manner fashion, which after a number of years on the sidelines,was to be expected. As time changes,so does music. A key element that would seem fitting for an album named "Elemental" was missing and that was the FUNKY element. No You Chase The Fire" or "Built For The Future"'s here. Only "You Know Me" fits into that realm, and the punch is less potent than that of the best work on "Ink", arguably, along with "Calm Animals" the spottiest album the band ever released.

From Track Four "Happy Landings" to slightly slower tracks like "Silent House, Fatal Shore, Ocean Blue to "You Know Me",the album saves some measure of face,narrowly escapings from being burned and buried beyond recognition.

The expectations placed on a super- group like The Fixx are often times brutal and unfair.
When ther are lineup changes and/ or long breaks chemistry can take time. First LP in almost eight years can lead to a few mistakes.
Unfortunately for Cy and the band, "Elemental"is littered with plenty errors, making it a bumpy ride listening wise.Even the die- hard fans may find this record hard to play along with. Not anywhere as high in quality as their classic LP's like "Reach The Beach, Walkabout,or Shuttered Room" "Elemental" falls into the second -tier of The Fixx catalog as a two (2)- star record.

C.S.
6-9-03"