Perhaps it's because of the slight rasp in Andres DelCastillo's voice or March Cesare's funky bass but
Eight Seconds recalls
the Fixx. The culprit is most likely
Fixx producer
Rupert Hine, who gives
Almacantar an unmistakably '80s rock radio sheen. The Fixx was a British band that sounded American;
Eight Seconds, on the other hand, was a Canadian group attempting to sound like an English band that sounded American. Best known for the single "Kiss You (When It's Dangerous),"
Eight Seconds knew how to craft a hook just like their idols in
the Fixx;
Almacantar is bursting with them. The giddy synthesizers and sweaty vocals of "Kiss You (When It's Dangerous)" create a sensual atmosphere; the lyrics aren't deep -- you're supposed to be dancing, not thinking -- but catchy lines like "I won't kiss you if you want me to/It's much too easy with someone like you" are made for singing in the shower. "Call and a Cry" and "Sincere" borrow
the Fixx's otherworldly keyboards and anthemic pop. If imitation really is the sincerest form of flattery then
the Fixx should be blushing because
Eight Seconds does it so well. Nearly every track on
Almacantar could have been an FM hit -- even the oddly titled "Where's Bula" is hummable. The lads were also kind enough to include a moving ballad, "Just Pretend," for the ladies seduced by "Kiss You (When It's Dangerous)." ~ Michael Sutton