Fixed Up - Who Is Innocent A Singles Collection 1983-1987 (2018)

Fixed Up is a trio from Le Havre that sowed its garage rock music with a strong concentration of R & B and soul, between 1981 and 1988. With François (vocals / guitar), Sylvain (drums) and Mephisto (Bass), the trio s' is formed on the ashes of the group Teenage Riot (1979-1981). The choice of the name Fixed Up comes from the title of a piece from the English group The Outsiders, first band of the amazing singer Adrian Borland, best known in The Sound. In short, a French group that listens in 1980 The Outsiders, has a good chance of being good!

During the 7 years of its existence (at that time under François Mitterrand, the duration of a presidential term), Fixed Up published six 45t, two albums and some titles scattered on compilations. As the title of the CD informs, here it is a compilation of six 45t, with the bonus of the upturned Fixed Up of Outsiders which was present on the compilation Eyes On You published by the cult label Le Havre, Closer Records. To note, small particularity, the 2nd album of The Outsiders is entitled Close Up, CLOSEr versus Fixed UP?
The compilation continues in descending order the chronology of six 45t, which gives a funny impression to (re) discover the sound of Fixed Up at its peak "guitar line clear", with choruses and brass to end in a more brutal sound and garage, mono limit cut for the bulk of training trio guitar / bass / drums. What is nice to hear is that in 2018, the music of Fixed Up has not taken a ride, it still breathes full lung R & B that burns the floor. The voice of François Lebas has a stamp cut for this type of rock, which has its origins in the rock pub (Dr. Feelgood) and Australian rock (The Saints, Died Pretty). Energetic and fresh, the SON Fixed Up is effective. No need to make tons, to make solos rotted and useless, Fixed Up goes to the basics, but without falling into the nag plane plan. As such, we can bring them closer to the trio The Jam. Also, special mention to the song You Can not Count Me In and its beautiful groovy rhythm that trots well in the head and legs, in the vein of a Dum Dum Boys title. That's it, the compilation allowed us to listen again, or to discover the music of this trio which separated too quickly.