The band was founded in Liverpool in 1980 when bassist Chris Layhe (who had been in a couple of local rock bands including Elanor and Blind Owl) answered an advertisement for a musical collaborator placed by 20 year old Ian McNabb. The two got together and started writing and in 1981 recorded a six-song independently released cassette (Ascending). Ian then pulled in drummer Chris Sharrock (who had previously drummed for the Cherry Boys) and the trio began playing as The Icicle Works. In 1982 they released the independent single "Nirvana". The following year, the Icicle Works were signed to the Beggars Banquet label, who issued the single "Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)" on their subsidiary label Situation Two.
Later that year, The Icicle Works' released their biggest UK hit, 1983's "Love Is a Wonderful Colour", which was a Top 15 single in the UK Singles Chart. Their debut eponymous album (1984) followed shortly thereafter, reached number 24 on the UK Albums Chart and reached the Top 40 on the [[United States|U.S. Billboard 200 chart. Also appearing on the U.S. Top 40 singles chart at around the same time (and hitting the Canadian Top 20) was "Whisper to a Scream (Birds Fly)", a retitled and slightly remixed version of the band's Situation Two release of 1983.
[edit] Touring Years: 1985-1988
After the release of their self-titled debut album the Icicle Works struggled to match their initial commercial success. However, they continued to receive critical acclaim as a live band and secured a loyal fan base both in the UK and abroad. Some[who?] have attributed the lack of commercial success to The Icicle Works' change in sound over the years, from an initial 'new wave' feel to a more straight-ahead (but then-unfashionable) rock sound inspired by Neil Young, The Doors, and the Ramones, amongst others.[citation needed]
In September 1984 the band issued the single "Hollow Horse", which continued to be a live favourite and the folk-rock inspired "Seven Horses". The band continued to enjoy acclaim in the UK, US and Japan but struggled to reclaim their initial chart success
Tracks
01. Hollow Horse (4:05)
02. Perambulator (3:59)
03. Seven Horses (4:19)
04. Rapids (4:28)
05. Windfall (4:16)
06. Assumed Sundown (5:53)
07. Saint's Soujourn (4:31)
08. All the Daughters (Of Her Father's House) (4:32)
09. Book of Reason (3:48)
10. Conscience of Kings (5:15)
Listen.
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