Customer Reviews

Walkabout

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

One of two studio albums by the Fixx that's currently out-of-print (the other being "Ink"), 1986's "Walkabout" is one of the Fixx's very best releases. Why this brilliant Fixx album has not yet been re-issued, when so many of their other albums have, is a mystery to me. Still in their musical prime in the late 80's, lead singer Cy Curnin, ace guitarist Jamie West-Oram & company deliver one smart, catchy pop-rocker after another on "Walkabout." EVERY song here is a great one, including the hit song "Secret Separation," "Built For The Future," "Chase The Fire," the title song, the beautiful ballad "Read Between The Lines" (featuring some fine piano-playing from singer Curnin), and "Camphor." There's even an excellent hidden bonus track at the end of the CD (which I can only assume is called "There Is Only"). Curnin's singing voice is superb, West-Oram delivers some incredibly tasty guitar licks throughout, and the band's performances are as tight as can be. "Walkabout" is TOO good a Fixx album to remain out-of-print! Hopefully it will be re-issued at some point, but for now, buy it used. It's a great buried treasure from the Fixx.

I enjoyed "Phantoms," like the other reviewer, but when it comes to the Fixx I'm always torn between "Walkabout" and "Ink" when picking a favorite. "Ink" was definitely more mainstream than this one; those who enjoyed the Fixx's slightly offbeat, new wave sound in those early "Red Skies" and "Stand or Fall" days will probably prefer this 1986 release. That this is in the "Shame It's Out-of-Print" File is just a flat-out injustice, especially considering that two of the staples of their various Greatest Hits collections appear on this album; "Built For the Future" and "Secret Separation." Added to which, "Read Between the Lines" is a beautifully haunting ballad, one of their very best songs. Until someone gets wise and re-issues this, I'm just gonna have to take darn good care of the 20 year-old CD copy I have.

Someone knowing once compared this record to the spareness and atmospherics of a Pat Metheny release. Not far wrong. I love the drama of Read between the Lines, the cool burn of Camphor and the swing of Treasure It. Secret Separation is The Fixx at their most romantic and hit #19 in the Billboard charts in 1986. Produced with care and restraint by Rupert Hine, this is The Fixx at their best. Savor it.

I can never bring myself to decide which of these two Fixx recordings is my favourite. As mentioned before, t'is a shame this CD has never been re-released/remastered. All of the musicianship is amazing, especially that of bassist Dan K. Brown - truly one of the most innovative and unique rock bass players of our time. Much of the music has a bittersweet flavour to it (which I personally love), and the lyrics are always intriguing and suit the mood of the music. With the re-release/remaster of Phantoms a few years back, there is always hope the same will be done with Walkabout.

All the Fixx albums are of superior quality, so it's not easy to rank them, but if there was one that is missing from current release, I never would have expected it to be this. Walkabout was a magnificent album chock full of great songs, including a long hidden track that really fills the album out.

If you are new to the Fixx, this album would be a great place to start, rather than the more challenging and better known Phantoms and Reach the Beach. The sound is richer and the music more easily approached. If you can find it on the used market, grab it. You'll be amazed at what you find. Why this isn't universally recognized as an essential classic is beyond understanding.

Coming out during the beginning of the MTV video decline, this the 4th studio album (CD) by the Fixx has it's moments, but is not their best outing. After much commercial success with their 2nd studio album Reach the Beach that saw a lot of radio play and video play on MTV, Walkabout stumbles a bit, even though it's nearly as good as Phantoms (their 3rd studio album). A lot of quirky little songs on this one which if you know their music, it comes as standard fare. Secret Separation was the only commercial hit, but if you are a fan and you don't have this CD, you need to add it to your collection. Chase the Fire, One Look Up and Read Between the Lines are solid songs all around. I find it odd that this is their one CD that you can't find new, not sure why. It is also worth noting that the final song on the CD, Camphor, is listed as a ten minute song, but it ends after three or four minutes. Keep listening though, there is another song (which is quite good) attached to the end of the track, so a little gold nugget for anyone who kept listening. I bought this when it originally came out and lost it at some point, so tracking it down was difficult, and though i winced at paying $30 bucks for it, it is worth it, for they are one of the greats from the 80's era, who though has had many a bass player, keep putting out great music and are a wonderful live band as well. I give it a 3 out of 5, not terrible, not spectacular, but a solid perfomance. Enjoy it as I do.

First of all, the cd arrived in time and in perfect order. Was very pleased and would recommend you to my friends.

I bought this recording on vinyl in 1986.
When I listened to it then, it didn't strike me as their best work.
Listening to it now, after languishing unplayed,in my collection for 19 years(geeeeez, I feel old!), I'm struck by how good this album is. Not an all-out singles fest that Reach The Beach was, it still captures that quintisential Fixx sound that was established on Shuttered Room. Stand out tracks are Secret Separation and Built for the Future.

I would say that the brilliantly nuanced, atmospheric 'Camphor' is my favorite all-time Fixx song. This album stands apart from all other Fixx albums for its sound, as well as its lyrical development--in 'Camphor' Cy uses an intuitive imagery and symbolism with great depth and precision. In one sense, I'm also surprised that it is out of print, but in another sense I'm not since most of the stuff I like tends to be inaccessible on radio and other venues these days.

Why Rainman Records don't edited this great cd with bonus tracks? the question it's on the air, friends