line up 1 ()

- Dan K. Brown -- bass, backing vocals 

- Cy Curnin -- lead vocals 

- Rupert Greenall -- keyboards, backing vocals 

- Jamie West-Oram -- guitar, backing vocals 

- Adam Woods -- drums, percussion

  supporting musicians (1987)

- Steve Gregory -- sax

- Jeff Scantlebury -- percussion, sax

- 

Genre: new wave

Rating: 3 stars ***

Title:  React

Company: MCA

Catalog: MCA 42008
Year: 1987

Country/State: London, UK

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: small cutout notch on edge

Available: 1

Catalog ID: --

Price: $15.00

The Fixx were one of those '80s bands that I would hear on the radio and could occasionally distinguish themselves from the onslaught of self-flagellating new wave noises that assaulted my ears.  With those memories I stumbled across a copy of 1987's "React" at a community yard sale and inspite of the insipid cover art and never having heard the album (I didn't even know it existed). I decided it was worth the $4.00 asking price.  Anyhow, imagine my surprise to subsequently discover that there are a total of sixteen Fixx albums, including the most recent release - 2022's "Every Five Seconds".  I'll be darned ...

So back to the Hugh Padhgham produced "React."  Featuring ten tracks (the CD included two bonus songs), the album featured an odd mixture of six live performances rounded out by a studio remake of 'Red Skies' and a series of three new songs ('Big Wall', 'Don't Be Scares' and 'Rules and Schemes').  The live tracks were recorded during a 1986 Canadian tour in support of their "Walkabout" album.  As one would expect, the live tracks focused on crowd pleasing his including 'Stand or Fall ', 'Saved By Zero' and the closer 'One Thing Leads to Another'. The live set was rounded out by a couple of obscurities - 'Deeper and Deeper' from the "Streets of Fire" soundtrack, 'Built for the Future' (off the "Walkabout" album they were then promoting) and 'Our We Ourselves' off their 1984 "Phantoms" LP. No idea whether they benefited from post-production tweaks, but the live performances were energetic and impressive.  The arrangements were a little slower and stripped down, by Curnin sound strong throughout and fans won't be disappointed.  The new material was of mixed caliber.  'Don't Be Scared' and 'Rules and  Schemes' were catchy and commercial, though MCA did little to push them.  'Big Wall' was forgettable and the remake of 'Red Skies' was pleasant, but forgettable.  Fixx fans will find it enjoyable, particularly since you can still find cheap copies.  Casual fans and newbies can live without it in their collection.

"React" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Red Skies (Charlie Barrett - Cy Curnin - Rupert Greenall - Jamie West-Oram - Adam Woods) - 4:33 rating: *** stars

Rerecording an earlier hit is always risky and their decision to strip off some of the original studio effects on the re-recorded 'Red Skies' made the revamped version far less commercial than the original.  That said, had I never heard the original studio version, I'd still be impressed hearing the new version for the first time.  The melody remains catchy and Cy Curnin's dry voice remained entertaining.  Surprisingly enjoyable, though I'd still opt for the original.  MCA floated it in 7" and 12" single versions:

  7" single:

- 1987's 'Red Skies' b/w 'Built For The Future (Recorded "Live" In Canada))' (MCA catalog number MCA 5306)

  12" single

- 1987's 'Red Skies' b/w 'Built For The Future (Recorded "Live" In Canada))' (MCA catalog number MCA L33-17304)

2.) Big Wall (Cy Curnin - Rupert Greenall - Jamie West-Oram - Adam Woods) - 4:15  rating: ** stars

The first of three new studio tunes, the grinding 'Big Wall' found Curnin pulling out his "angry" voice on this one.  Not sure if it was intended as a political, or social statement but I can't say I found it particularly melodic, or enjoyable.

3.) Don't Be Scared (Cy Curnin - Rupert Greenall - Jamie West-Oram - Adam Woods) - 5:00 rating: **** stars

Showcasing Curnin's instantly recognizable voice, the bouncy 'Don't Be Scared' found the band returning to their classic sound.  Great rock melody, Dan Brown's steady bass and Steve Gregory's end-of-song  sax solo made for a pleasant surprise.  Shame MCA didn't push the song as a single:

- 1987's 'Don't Be Scared' (long version) b/w 'Don't Be Scared' (short version) (MCA catalog number Lee 17328)

4.) Rules and Schemes (Cy Curnin - Rupert Greenall - Jamie West-Oram - Adam Woods) - 3:43 rating: **** stars

The second best new track, 'Rules and Schemes' had an interesting melody, some nice Rupert Greenall synthesizers, a tasty Jamie West-Oram guitar solo and another nice Curnin vocal.  It was actually catchier than the single 'Don't Be Scared' and far better than 'Big Wall.'

5.) Deeper and Deeper (Cy Curnin - Rupert Greenall - Jamie West-Oram - Adam Woods) - 4:20 rating: ** stars

Certainly a Fixx obscurity, 'Deeper and Deeper' originally appeared on the 1984 "Streets of Fire" soundtrack (MCA catalog MCA-5492).    Maybe it's just my copy of the album but the live version sounded like it had been recorded over a long distance phone line.  The song reflected that patented Fixx sound which meant it was familiar, but it certainly wasn't earth-shattering and the weird sound effects were about as grating as chalk on a blackboard.  The song was actually released as a promotion 12" single in the US and New Zealand (of all places):

- 1984's "Deeper and Deeper' b/w 'Deeper and Deeper' (MCA catalog number L33-1186)

(side 2)
1.) Stand or Fall (Charlie Barrett - Cy Curnin - Rupert Greenall - Jamie West-Oram - Adam Woods) – 4:25 rating: **** stars

Opening up with Jamie West-Oram's instantly recognizable "bell" guitar sound, the live version of 'Stand or Fall' sticks pretty close to the original arrangement.  The pace if a little slower, Adam Woods' drums a little more prominent, but the melody remained intact and Curnin's voice was in good shape.  This was one of the tracks recorded at Montreal's Le Spectrum in October, 1986.  Extra star for bringing back good memories of the time.

2.) Built for the Future (Cy Curnin - Rupert Greenall - Jamie West-Oram - Adam Woods - Daniel K. Brown) - 4:04 rating: *** stars

'Built for the Future' had kind of a Simple Minds vibe.  Nice refrain and they did a good job of recreating the track.  This one was recorded at Toronto's Massey Hall.

3.) Saved by Zero (Alfie Agius - Cy Curnin - Rupert Greenall - Jamie West-Oram) - 3:26  rating: **** stars

I find myself surprised by how recognizable many of these songs are decades after I last heard them.  One of my first Fixx memories, this is another one where they pull off the live version with consider skill and energy.  Again, the performance is slightly slower than the original, but Curnin and company sound pretty good throughout.

4.) Are We Ourselves? (Cy Curnin - Rupert Greenall - Jamie West-Oram - Adam Woods - Daniel K. Brown) - 2:44  rating: *** stars

The original studio is far better, but the live version will do in a pinch and the do a credible job on the harmonies.

5.) One Thing Leads to Another (Alfie Agius - Cy Curnin - Rupert Greenall - Jamie West-Oram) - 4:11 rating: **** stars

So their signature song closes out the vinyl release and is initially marred by some of the worst synthesizer sounds I've heard in a long time (imagine a rumbling stomach).  The good news is  West-Oram's funky guitar riff and, the famed melody and the top-10 refrain all come to the fore.  Ignore the synthesizer misfires like the Massey Hall audience does and it's actually a good live version.

© Scott R. Blackerby October, 2024