Comments for Fiat Lux, Hired History mini LP

Fiat Lux:Steve WrightDavid CrickmoreIan NelsonFiat Lux are a trio from England who got their start in early 1982 with helpfrom Bill Nelson and his label, Cocteau Records. Their sound leans towardthe New Romantic style with the aid of synthesizers, drum machine, guitar, andbass. The song "Secrets" is a slow number that could have easily been gleaned from Japan`s Gentlemen Take Polaroids lp while "Blue Emotion"is upbeat with a Bill Nelson `Vistamix` quality. The latter isn`t surprising consideringBill`s younger brother Ian plays sax and keys in the band. The lp was produced byHugh Jones who also produced Clock DVA`s Advantage which was released on Polydor the same year. Some of the haunting devices Jones used on Advantageare utilized on Hired History as well, such as flanged and filtered piano.Unfortunately, Fiat Lux didn`t survive beyond the release of just a handful ofsingles, but they did get the privilege of supporting Blancmange on their 1983 U.K.---Very Good. Recommended.

I've been hooked on Fiat Lux since first hearing "Blue Emotion" on WXRT Chicago's 'Big Beat' show in 1983. It's a piece of music that leads me to remember exactly where I was when I originally heard it. Twenty years old (yikes) and still every bit as strong as it was on first listen. Nicely enough, the other recordings (unfortunately too few) are equally as enjoyable. Fiat Lux remains at the top of my list of recordings I wish were on cd ( I have located 'Feels Like Winter' and 'This Illness' on a Cocteau label compilation ). On a trip to London in the mid eighties, I was fortunate enough to pick up a video called "Commercial Breakdown" which has music videos and some live material. Really some of the best pop music this era had to offer.