3 underappreciated bands from the 1980s still worth listening to

The Fixx

Though The Fixx and Big Country sounded extremely different, they both had their own unique concept when they began. Somehow though the 1980s were five decades ago, there seemed more openness to groups that just weren't like others. Nowadays, there's more access to music because of all the streaming services, but the way music is packaged makes it more difficult to create a difference between the Olivia Rodrigos of the world compared to the Dua Lipas.

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While The Fixx was considered "new wave," they didn't feature a synth as much as many other groups in the ealy 1980s. The Fixx was much more streamlined and guitar-driven. The lyrics, however, like many other bands of their kind, featured somewhat apocalyptic overtones. They started in an England still dealing with post-World War II concerns and during the cold war. Having songs about dire situations just made sense.

Plus, The Fixx's tinny sound was somehow exciting and enduring at the same time. It was so different that Tina Turner wanted singer Cy Curnin and guitarist Jamie West-Oram to be a part of the single "Better Be Good to Me" and even though that song isn't a Fixx original, the song still differs sonically from nearly anything else on the radio at the time.

But some of the band's best songs in my opinion came after hit albums Reach the Beach and Phantoms. "Secret Separation" from 1986's Walkabout has chord changes that every tune she have and Curnin sounds brilliant. "Driven Out" from 1989's Calm Animals resembles what REM was doing around the same time and that's a great thing. In other words, maybe listen to a little Fixx later today.