[.ca] Reach The Beach

Why was this their big success?:
I know the answer to my own question: One Thing Leads to Another. Everyone knows that song, and when it was a hit, everyone wanted that song. There are some other good cuts on here too: Sign of Fire, Saved By Zero, and even the title track, odd as its signature keyboard riff may be, gets its hooks in you. However, as a new listener just checking out The Fixx for the first time (beyond One Thing, that is), I have to say that I find Shuttered Room to be a far superior album. Every track on that is fantastic. I can't say the same with Reach the Beach. I've grown fond of Running and the spacey, mysterious Opinions, but tracks 7-10 are just weak. Songs like Cameras in Paris and Some People were definitely very quirky, but they also had great hooks and became quite catchy. The second half of Reach the Beach just sags. Okay, so I'm not a long-time fan, but so far, Shuttered Room gets my vote for their masterpiece. (Phantoms is on the way, so we'll see how that competes.)

May not be the Fixx's best, but pretty darn close.:
Some of the best Hits are here, but the album tracks really stand out as well. Running, Changing and Privelege are great tunes (although it's hard to describe the Fixx's music as "tunes"), as is the exquisite "Outside" that closes out the original album. The music is a bit minimal, but great new-wave rock nonetheless.Other than the one dreadful track (Liner), Reach The Beach won't disappoint.

Classic Fixx:
The Fixx hit the commercial jackpot with their 2nd album, 1983's "Reach The Beach," which remains to this day the group's biggest seller, and it also features their big signature hit, "One Thing Leads To Another," which reached #4 on the U.S. singles chart. It's an outstanding disc of dramatic, atmospheric pop/rock. Besides "One Thing Leads To Another," the album contains other Fixx favorites such as "Saved By Zero" (a Top 20 hit), "Sign Of Fire," "Opinions," the title song, "Liner," and "Outside." Great songs, killer hooks, and the commanding voice of Cy Curnin all add up to a winning platter of 80's rock. "Reach The Beach" is a definitive Fixx classic.

A high point for the 1980's nascent "alternative rock" sound:
There are classic 80's albums that do not age at all...like "London Calling" or "Purple Rain". They would have been great in any era. Then you have albums like "Reach The Beach", which is an example of the best " 80's music" . It has all the hallmarks of that era's sound...the nervy, plucky guitars; the dry drum sound, the bouncy synth chords or that keyboard "wash" of sound acting as background wall paper. I probably haven't listened to this album all the way through in over fifteen years, yet I found myself immediately recalling every lyric, guitar lick or synth punctuation. With ease. I remember loving the record upon it's release; it has some killer singles on it. Namely "One Thing Leads to Another" and "Saved By Zero" but the album cuts are fairly strong as well. I love it still, and appreciate it more. An excellent choice for remastering, which has been immaculately done.

A classic album, and the best full-length from the FIXX:
The Fixx is my favorite band. I have been a fan since the debut LP. I have followed their entire career. I don't say these things to validate my rating of Reach The Beach. A 5-star rating does get thrown around quite a bit on Amazon, but in this case, I am rating within the Fixx catalogue. The Fixx is a band that many people definitely don't get. For those of us who do get The Fixx, we understand what a unique and truly great band they are. Reach The Beach is the band's ace in the hole. Solid production, excellent well-thought lyrics, imaginative and creative songwriting, crisp and exciting execution, memorable singles - it's the complete package. Don't let the off-kilter album tracks fool you into thinking they're filler - listen closely to every track. Even the extremely-overplayed classic single "One Thing Leads To Another" deserves unlimited credit for it's intelligent lyrics and ingenuity, via a simple-yet-memorable melody with the strength to stand the test of time. Make no mistake, The Fixx are smarter than most bands out there (to this day). Reach The Beach is a prime example of their originality and superb musicianship. A must-own for anyone who loves a good challenge, and a classic CD in their collection.

• One Thing Leads to Another
• Sign of Fire
• Running
• Saved by Zero
• Opinions
• Reach the Beach
• Changing
• Liner
• Privilege
• Outside
• Saved by Zero \oExtended Version\c\o*\c
• One Thing Leads to Another \oExtended Version\c\o*\c
• Deeper and Deeper \oLong Version\c\o*\c
• Going Overboard \o*\c