The Icicle Works (titled Icicle Works in the United States[5]) is the eponymous debut album by The Icicle Works. The album was released in 1984 and charted at number 24 in the UK and number 40 in the US.[6][7]
| The Icicle Works | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 23 March 1984[1] | |||
| Recorded | 1983–1984 | |||
| Genre | New wave | |||
| Length | 42:35 | |||
| Label | Beggars Banquet | |||
| Producer | ||||
| The Icicle Works chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Alternate cover | ||||
 American Version | ||||
| Singles from The Icicle Works | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [2] |
| Rolling Stone |  [3] |
| The Village Voice | C+[4] |
The original 1984 issue features different track listings and cover artwork in the UK, in the US, and in Canada.
In 2006, Beggars Banquet Records issued both a 2-CD and a limited edition 3-CD expanded edition of The Icicle Works. Disc 1 consists of the original album in its entirety, in the UK configuration. Disc 2 features a selection of b-sides, radio sessions, and remixes, as well as one live track. On the 3-CD edition, the first 10 tracks of disc 3 consist of "radio session" versions of the songs from the original UK Icicle Works album; they are presented in the original UK album sequence. Disc 3 then concludes with a previously released b-side, and a previously unreleased album outtake.
The US version of the album has a remixed and re-titled version of "Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)". The US remix does not include the female spoken introduction heard on the UK mix. The US album was released by Arista Records.
Pitchfork Media described the song "Love Is a Wonderful Colour" as "one of those "wow where was this hiding?" tracks that make you think there's something left to 80s crate-digging."[8]
Track listing edit
All songs on UK, US and Canadian editions written by Ian McNabb.
UK Edition edit
- "Chop the Tree" – 4:42
- "Love Is a Wonderful Colour" – 4:13
- "Reaping the Rich Harvest" – 4:06
- "As the Dragonfly Flies" – 3:58
- "Lovers' Day" – 4:49
- "In the Cauldron of Love" – 3:50
- "Out of Season" – 4:46
- "A Factory in the Desert" – 3:11
- "Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)" – 3:48
- "Nirvana" – 5:07
US Edition edit
In addition to the remix version of "Whisper to a Scream (Birds Fly)" the US album also dropped the track "Reaping The Rich Harvest" and added the track "Waterline" (USA version).
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Whisper to a Scream (Birds Fly)" | |
| 2. | "In the Cauldron of Love" | |
| 3. | "Nirvana" | |
| 4. | "Lover's Day" | |
| 5. | "A Factory in the Desert" | |
| 6. | "Waterline" | |
| 7. | "Chop the Tree" | |
| 8. | "Out of Season" | |
| 9. | "As the Dragonfly Flies" | |
| 10. | "Love Is a Wonderful Colour" |
Canadian Edition edit
Compared to the UK version, the Canadian edition dropped the track "As The Dragonfly Flies", and added the track "Waterline" (UK single version). It also lists the song "Reap the Rich Harvest" where other editions listed it as "Reaping the Rich Harvest"
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Lover's Day" | |
| 2. | "Love Is a Wonderful Colour" | |
| 3. | "Reap the Rich Harvest" | |
| 4. | "Chop the Tree" | |
| 5. | "A Factory in the Desert" | |
| 6. | "In the Cauldron of Love" | |
| 7. | "Whisper to a Scream (Birds Fly)" | |
| 8. | "Waterline" | |
| 9. | "Out of Season" | |
| 10. | "Nirvana" |
2006 Expanded Edition edit
Disc 1 of the expanded editions was identical to the original UK version of the album
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "All Is Right" (Session) | |
| 2. | "When Winter Lasted Forever" (Session) | |
| 3. | "Love Hunt" (Session) | |
| 4. | "Reverie Girl" | |
| 5. | "Gun Boys" | |
| 6. | "Love Is a Wonderful Colour" (Long Version) | |
| 7. | "Waterline" (USA Version) | |
| 8. | "In the Dance the Shamen Led" | |
| 9. | "The Devil on Horseback" | |
| 10. | "Mountain Comes to Mohammed" (Session) | |
| 11. | "Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)" (Frantic Mix) | |
| 12. | "Scarecrow" | |
| 13. | "Ragweed Campaign" | |
| 14. | "The Atheist" | |
| 15. | "Nirvana" (Live) |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Chop the Tree" (Jensen Session) | |
| 2. | "Love Is a Wonderful Colour" (Peel Session) | |
| 3. | "Reaping the Rich Harvest" (Peel Session) | |
| 4. | "As the Dragonfly Flies" (Jensen Session) | |
| 5. | "Lover's Day" (Jensen Session) | |
| 6. | "In the Cauldron of Love" (Peel Session) | |
| 7. | "Out of Season" (Jensen Session) | |
| 8. | "A Factory in the Desert" (Peel Session) | |
| 9. | "Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)" (Jensen Session) | |
| 10. | "Nirvana" (Jensen Session) | |
| 11. | "Waterline" (UK Single Version) | |
| 12. | "Love Hunt" (Unreleased Hugh Jones Version) |
References edit
- ^ The Icicle Works (booklet). Beggars Banquet. 2006. BBL 2038 CDD.
- ^ Raggett, Ned. "The Icicle Works – The Icicle Works". AllMusic. Retrieved 31 October 2017.
- ^ Puterbaugh, Parke (7 June 1984). "Icicle Works: Icicle Works". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 18 January 2003. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
- ^ Christgau, Robert (12 June 1984). "Christgau's Consumer Guide: Turkey Shoot". The Village Voice. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
- ^ "Icicle Works - Arista Records 1984". Discogs.com. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 266. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ "Merseybeasts".
- ^ "Various Artists: 12"/80's". Pitchfork.