The Fixx “Reach the Beach” 1983. Synthy new wave from the UK, Reach the Beach was the Fixx’s second LP and a huge hit, hitting #8 in the US (but only #91 in the UK). Today’s pull is super-random and it’s probably been close to 35 years since I’ve listened to it. I currently still hear the single “One Thing Leads To Another” (#4 US, #86 UK) on 80’s mixes fairly often and occasionally “Saved By Zero” (#20 US) as well. The rest of the record has the same herky-jerky science-geek new wave flavor of those two singles, a sound that definitely had a moment in the early-to-mid 80’s, overlaid with the ubiquitous big, glossy 80’s production touch. I particularly like “Sign of Fire” (ah, the old tucked-in tie trend of the early 80’s). “Privilege” is super-weird and interesting: an odd mix of world-beats and sci-fi vibes. The rest of the LP is fine, sometimes a bit ponderous (“Outside” and “Opinions“); like they were trying to be extra-arty but managed more of a questionably successful merge of prog and new wave.