Single Review: Fenix TX – CRE.EP

Fenix TX were originally formed in the mid nineties, they achieved international success with their self titled major label debut album and toured extensively, including a tour of the UK with The Offspring in the late nineties where they first came to my attention. They called it a day in 2002 but now they have returned from the wilderness after an enforced fourteen year hiatus, aside from the usual problems that life can throw at us Fenix TX‘s frontman, Will Salazar, suffered a stroke, the effects of which meant he could no longer play guitar, write or sing, but it seems you can’t keep a good man down, and after a few stints in rehab he’s once more able to front the resurrected Fenix TX.

The EP opens with a serious statement of intent, Spooky Action At A Distance is an infectious slice of melodic punk rock, had the EP carried on in this vein I’d have been happy enough but this release incorporates numerous changes of style and pace. Church And State is a distinct shift in style, that for some reason reminds me of The Beatles, that is a stark contrast to the opening track, but it’s every bit it’s equal. Bending Over Backwards signals a return to full tilt punk style, it’s a catchy and bouncy number that hints at return to their roots, Get Loose slows down the pace and it has a more intense and heavier sound than anything else on this release, it’s a track that takes a detour into alt rock territory prior to the final track, I Don’t Know What To Say, rounding off a near perfect EP with a sparkling slice of energetic punk rock.

This is a hell of a  way to a mark the return of a much missed band, returns after a long hiatus are sometimes disappointing with a band trying too hard to recreate the original elements from their glory days, Fenix TX have avoided that pitfall and have made an EP that I think surpasses their original material, and it’s not often I can say that. CRE.EP doesn’t just mark their return, the strength of the material on this release indicates that Fenix TX are once more a force to be reckoned with.

The CRE.EP can be ordered on all formats, and in a variety of bundles, from Cyber Tracks here

Fenix TX‘s web presence can be found here