I used to quite like Fenix Tx. Back in Drive Thru’s golden era, when everything they released sold a bucketload, Fenix bashed out a stack of fun songs and had a decent live show. Nothing groundbreaking, but they were fun nonetheless. After two albums they promptly split up, started other bands and signed to bigger labels. Except that didn’t particularly work either and the much hyped Denver Harbor drifted off into relative obscurity without so much as a whimper. Then, without much warning, Fenix Tx announced they were back and this live album, released on Adrenaline Records, acts as a reminder to what the band were like in their heyday – if you can describe their relative success as a heyday.
‘Purple Rein In Blood’ is quite fun for a few listens, but don’t expect anything too brilliant. For a band with two albums worth of material a live album was always going to be a tricky prospect, and filling it with covers of Peter Chilling’s ‘Major Tom(Coming Home)’ and Creedence Clear Water Revival’s ‘Fortunate Son’ still only leaves 13 tracks and the feeling you’ve been a little short-changed. Still, all those ‘hits’ are here, with ‘Katie W’ and ‘Phoebe Cates’ starting things off in fine style. ‘Pasture Of Muppets’ is a little heavier, but it’s the triple salvo of ‘Threesome’, ‘Abba Zabba’ and ‘A Song For Everyone’ that wins points.
Having said that, the endless banter and constant talking between songs isn’t a ratings winner. Swearing aimlessly isn’t cool and someone needs to tell vocalist Will that. But on the whole this is okay. Fans will love it, even if it does smack of a cash-in, and I guess that’s the main thing. ‘Purple Reign In Blood’ serves as a nice Yuletide reminder of how fun Fenix Tx once were and even if that doesn’t make them particularly vital, you can close your eyes and listen to this and remember some pretty funny times.
www.fenixtx.xom
Adrenaline Records
paul