The Icicle Works
The Icicle Works
© Beggars Banquet
August 23 - 29, 2026
Year of Release: 2006
Rating:
Disc One: The Icicle Works
Chop The Tree
Love Is a wonderful Colour
Reaping The Rich Harvest
As The Dragonfly Flies
Lovers' Day
In The Cauldron Of Love
Out Of Season
A Factory In The Desert
Birds Fly (Whisper To A
Scream)
Nirvana
Disc Two:
Sessions - Mixes -
B-Sides
All Is Right
When Winter Lasted
Forever
Love Hunt
Love Is A Wonderful Colour
(Long Version)
Waterline (USA Version)
In The Dance
The Shaman Led
The Devil On Horseback
Mountain Comes To
Mohammed
Birds Fly (Whisper To A
Scream)
(Frantic Mix)
Scarecrow
Bagweed Campaign
The Atheist
Nirvana (Live)
See how this album ranks...
The Complete WSVNRadio Album Archive
History List
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
purchase CD's from
Hear a song from this album as part of our Podcast Station! Click on the logo below
|
We look at another band from England, The Icicle Works. Formed in Liverpool in 1980, their biggest hit was "Love
Is A Wonderful Colour" from 1983. It was from their self-titled debut album, released in 1984. They would release
a total of five albums (1984-1990). Their debut album would be reissued as a 2-disc set, with the original 10 tracks,
and a second disc of Sessions, mixes, and B-sides. Both UK and US releases had diferent track listings, and only the UK
version would have a female introduction on the track "Birds Fly (Whisper To A Scream)." The 2-disc reissue would
consist of the UK version.
Disc One: The Icicle Works
"Chop The Tree" leads off the album, having a somewhat sound compared to the Irish band, U2. The band's
biggest hit is next, "Love Is A Wonderful Colour," as it has a somewhat sound to another England band, Duran Duran.
"Reaping The Rich Harvest" has the sound of the later years of Duran Duran, and it was dropped for the US version
and replaced by "Waterline." (The replacement track is included on the second disc of sessions, mixes and B-sides.)
"Aas The Dragonfly Flies" was dropped for the Canadian version, and replaced by "Waterline." Dragonfly
has the unmistakable sound of the 1980s decade of music. It's a solid upbeat track. U2 could have recorded this song and
it's style. "Lovers' Day" brings it down, with it's mellow style (which kicks into gear later), and is another very
impressive track, '80s Pop style. Likewise, it starts out mellow and kicks in, is "In The Cauldron Of Love." It's
another quite impressive track, as well. '80s Pop shines on the next track, another gem, "Out Of Season." "A Factory
In The Desert" definitely has the comparison to that of U2. "Birds Fly (Whisper To A Scream)" was another hit,
much better than "Love Is A Wonderful Colour." It's another defining track from the Pop 1980s decade.
"Nirvana" ends the original album, with it's Pop style, and it's quite a rocking track.
The Icicle Works album defines the '80s Pop sound so popular throughout the decade. Comparisons to U2 and
Duran Duran, and it's '80s Pop sounds of others. "Birds Fly (Whisper To A Scream)" is the song that everyone
remembered, for those who were listening to the '80s Pop of that decade. I'm sure they were more popular in England,
compared to the US. And "Birds Fly" for us Americans, would be the standout track we remember, although the band
released more albums towards 1990.
Disc Two: Sessions - Mixes - B-Sides
"All Ia Right" (Duran Duran'ish) and "When Winter Lasted Forever" (also Duran'ish, but mysterious) were
from the January 1982 broadcast of BBC Radio One's John Peel Show. "Love Hunt" was also BBC Radio One - November 25,
1982 David Jansen Show, at Maida Vale 4. It is another impressive Rock-sounding track. Another band comes to mind that
would be heard in the future - The Flaming Lips. "Reverie Girl" (from 1983) is quite good, compared to their hit
"Birds Fly." "Gun Boys" (from 1983; B-side to "Birds Fly") is also another gem. The long version of their
hit "Love Is A Wonderful Colour" is (1983) is a 12 inch vinyl and picture disc version. "Waterline" (USA
version) was the replacement track for both the USA and Canadian versions. It has the Duran Duran vibe. "In THe
Dance The Shaman Led" (1983) is a very pleasant track. A pleasant compare to Yes' "Yours Is No Disgrace."
Also pleasant is "The Devil On Horeback" (1983; B-side of "Love Is A Wonderful Colour." "Mountain comes to
Mohammed" (BBC Radio One David Jansen Show; 1983) is another great rocker the band. "Birds Fly (Whisper To A
Scream)" returns as a Frantic Mix (1984). It's more instrumental in sound, a true remix version. "Scarecrow"
(1984) could have been another hit, if given a chance. "Bagweed Campaign" (1984; B-side to the re-release of
"Birds Fly") is pleasant, and more dreamy. "The Atheist" (1984) has the U2 comparison again.
"Nirvana" is a live version, from 1984, at The Paradise Club, Boston, Massachusetts,for the King Biscuit Flower
Hour. This live version has a harder rock edge, and sounds like U2.
As mentioned, The Icicle Works reissue of their debut album defines what many sounded like in the 1980s Pop decade.
"BIrds Fly" is the most remembered, and adding the band's name to other well-known popular bands from that decade.
Their name may not as been as huge as those mentioned in this review, but their music (especially "Birds Fly")
will always be remembered. The 1980s Pop decade.
There isn't a main website for The Icicle Works, but you can learn more about the band from the lead singer,
Ian McNabb's website.
© 2026 WSVNRadio.net. All rights reserved.
Review or any portion may not be reproduced
without written permission. Cover art is the
intellectual property of Beggars Banquet Records
and is used for reference purposes only.
|
