As the leader of the British new wave band the Fixx, Cy Curnin (vocals, keyboards) often found him and his group compared to fashion-conscious '80s acts such as A Flock of Seagulls and Duran Duran. Ironically, even though Curnin scoffed at those bands' predilection for high-style clothing, he became involved in the fashion business himself, founding a company called Cy Wear that specialized in hats…
Throughout rock history it always seems that when a lead singer from a popular group goes solo, the albums are rather mellow and lackluster, but not this record, it rocks! There is a definite slick big New Wave sound here without sounding dated on this superbly well produced album…
2005 solo release from The Fixx frontman. The album includes very impressive AOR/Westcoast style materials including the very beautiful song 'Breath With Me'.
The Fixx had a banner year in 1983, as their second album, Reach the Beach, broke down doors and gave the band a huge hit with "One Thing Leads to Another." Phantoms wasn't as good, not just because Reach the Beach had that hit but also because it was simply a really good mainstream new wave record. Phantoms was a little more serious, a little more lugubrious, a little directionless, but it still is a pretty good record, all the same. The reason why? The Fixx were a good band. They had an original sound, thanks to the echoing synths, clean-processed guitars, cavernous drums, and Cy Curnin's soaring voice, which soared over the precise arrangements to make it sound human. The wondrous thing about this combination is that it sounded appealing even when the material wasn't the equal of the sound, which is often the case on Phantoms. That's not to say it's a disaster, because it hardly is – the band sounds good, and the record is a shining example of post-new wave production.
Bruce Gaitsch is a highly regarded session guitarist who has been associated with top musicians and groups such as Madonna, Chicago, Richard Marx and Philip Bailey just to name a few.
A London-based new wave group that managed to sustain a successful career in America for several years in the mid-'80s, the Fixx always flirted with the mainstream with their catchy, keyboard-driven pop. Formed by college friends vocalist/keyboardist Cy Curnin and drummer Adam Woods in the early '80s, the pair advertised in the music press for additional members; the remaining members of the group – guitarist Jamie West-Oram, keyboardist Rupert Greenall, and bassist Charlie Barret – all responded to the ad. Taking the name the Portraits, the band recorded a single for Ariola Records, "Hazards in the Home," which failed to gather much attention. Within a year, the band had changed its name to the Fixx and recorded "Lost Planes," the single that led to a record contract with MCA.