The Icicle Works - The Complete Works (45th Anniversary 1980-2025) (16CD) (2025)

K SPECIAL

The Icicle Works - The Complete Works (45th Anniversary 1980-2025) (16CD) (2025)

The Icicle Works are an English alternative rock band, named after the 1960 short story "The Day the Icicle Works Closed" by science fiction author Frederik Pohl. They had a top 20 UK hit with "Love Is a Wonderful Colour" (1983).

In the US and Canada, they had one top 40 hit, the 1984 single "Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)".

Consisting of singer/guitarist/keyboardist/songwriter Ian McNabb, drummer Chris Sharrock, and bassist Chris Layhe, the band released four albums from 1984 to 1988. The original band broke up in 1989, but McNabb has continued to perform under the Icicle Works name with various replacement members; this revised Icicle Works line-up still plays sporadic live dates. As of 2024, the line up consists of Ian McNabb and Chris Layhe.

1980-1983: Formation and early years

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. They added drummer Chris Sharrock (who had previously drummed for the Cherry Boys), and began playing live shows as "The Icicle Works".

In 1981, the band recorded a six-song independently released cassette entitled Ascending. In 1982, they released the independent single "Nirvana", which made it to No. 15 on the UK Indie Chart. 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. Their 1984 eponymous debut album followed shortly thereafter, reached number 24 on the UK Albums Chart and entered the US top 40.

Appearing on the US top 40 singles chart at around the same time (and hitting the Canadian top twenty) was "Whisper to a Scream (Birds Fly)", a retitled and slightly remixed version of the band's Situation Two release of 1983.

1984-1988: Touring years

After the release of their self-titled debut album the Icicle Works struggled to match their initial commercial success. They continued to receive critical acclaim as a live band and secured a loyal fan base both in the UK and abroad. In September 1984, the band issued the UK-only single "Hollow Horse", which flopped (though it later became a live favourite in the band's sets).

A series of follow-up singles similarly missed the charts, including the Motown-flavoured "All the Daughters (of Her Father's House)"

and the folk-rock inspired "Seven Horses".

Added to the live line-up around this time was keyboardist Chris "Tugsie" Turrill; Turrill was not an official member of the band, and did not play on any of their recordings. Prior to Turrill's arrival, both McNabb and Layhe had previously doubled up on instruments playing guitar, keyboard and percussion at live gigs. Layhe was often seen playing the octobans and McNabb occasionally played an open tuned guitar with his right hand and a keyboard with his left.

The band's second LP, The Small Price of a Bicycle came out in mid-1985. The album was a UK-only release - their US label, Arista Records, dismissed the album as 'punk-rock demos' and declined to release it.

Beginning in 1986, though the band was still officially a trio, keyboardist Dave Green became an auxiliary member of The Icicle Works, replacing Turrill. Green both played at live shows and contributed to the band's recordings.

In July 1986, The Icicle Works had a UK chart hit with the almost punk-sounding "Understanding Jane", which peaked at No. 52. The song was later covered by The Wildhearts on their 2008 covers album Stop Us If You've Heard It Before, Vol. 1.

The pop-oriented follow-up single "Who Do You Want for Your Love?" peaked at No. 54,

and January 1987's "Evangeline" peaked at No. 53. All three songs found their way onto the 1987 album If You Want to Defeat Your Enemy Sing His Song, produced by Ian Broudie.

The album was released in both Britain and North America and hit No. 28 on the UK Albums Chart.

Later in 1987, The Icicle Works issued the single "High Time". It peaked at No. 76 in the UK, but in 1988 it hit No. 13 on the newly created US Modern Rock chart.

The band's fourth studio album, Blind, was produced by McNabb and issued in 1988 and reached the Top 40 of the album chart.

The album featured 13 tracks in the UK and Canada, but the US version of the album featured a different track listing, slightly edited versions of a few songs, and a different cover. Still, both versions of the album contained "High Time" and the minor British hit "Little Girl Lost", which peaked at No. 59.

1989-1991: New line-up and split

By the late 1980s, tensions within the group were increasing, allegedly due to McNabb's controlling ways. By 1988, in addition to writing virtually all of The Icicle Works' material (as well as singing and playing guitar) McNabb was producing the group's records.

Shortly after Blind was issued, drummer Chris Sharrock departed to The La's.

Sharrock would later join The Lightning Seeds and World Party, and would drum for Robbie Williams, Del Amitri, Eurythmics, Oasis and Beady Eye. As of 2018 he is the drummer for Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds. Layhe also departed at this time.

Beggars Banquet subsequently dropped the group from their roster.

McNabb continued to perform under the name The Icicle Works for a while. Dave Green was promoted to official membership status, although he left the band within a year. Zak Starkey was added on drums for a time, and various keyboardists, bassists, and guitarists passed through before the band released their final album Permanent Damage (1990), recorded for Epic/Sony. By that time, the band's line-up was McNabb, bassist Roy Corkill, former 10cc and Jethro Tull drummer Paul Burgess, keyboardist Dave Baldwin, and backing vocalist Mark Revell.

"The reason Permanent Damage was an Icicle Works album was because Muff Winwood, who signed me to Epic, wanted a brand name that he knew was dependable, and wasn’t very keen on me just becoming Ian McNabb. But it was effectively a solo album." - Ian McNabb.

This 'second-generation' version of The Icicle Works broke up after Permanent Damage failed to chart, and Epic dropped the band. McNabb's solo career officially began in 1991 with the release of the single "Great Dreams of Heaven".

2006-present: Revival 

After having been a solo act for 15 years, in 2006 McNabb reactivated The Icicle Works name for a series of six UK concerts in October of that year. This version of the band consisted of McNabb, former 'second-generation' Icicle Works bassist Roy Corkill, and two new members: keyboard player Richard Naiff and drummer Mathew Priest, both of McNabb's long-time solo touring band.

The Icicle Works appeared at GuilFest 2007 and played a nine-date UK tour in December 2007. McNabb and company played two free shows as 'The Icicle Works' in Liverpool in January 2008.

McNabb continued to play gigs as a solo artist throughout 2009 and 2010. After a three-year hiatus from performing, The Icicle Works played a series of 30th Anniversary gigs in 2011. Gigs took place sporadically through the rest of the decade, before group activity wound down temporarily in 2022.

In 2024, Layhe officially rejoined The Icicle Works after a 35-year absence. Now consisting solely of McNabb and Layhe, the band undertook a series of acoustic gigs performing as a duo.

So, here is the complete collection of their studio work, BBC Radio 1 sessions and live tracks:

01 The Icicle Works - The Icicle Works (2006 De-Luxe Limited Edition) (3CD) (1984)

02 The Icicle Works - The Small Price of a Bicycle (2011 Expanded Edition) (3CD) (1985)

03 The Icicle Works - Seven Singles Deep (2024 Digitally Remastered Edition) (1986)

04 The Icicle Works - If You Want to Defeat Your Enemy Sing His Song (2011 Expanded Edition) (3CD) (1987)

05 The Icicle Works - Blind (2011 Expanded Edition) (3CD) (1988)

06 The Icicle Works - Permanent Damage (2009 Expanded Edition) (2CD) (1990)

07 The Icicle Works - The Best of The Icicle Works (45th Anniversary 1980-2025) (2025 Digital Remaster) (2025)

The Icicle Works - Seven Singles Deep (2024 Digitally Remastered Edition) (1986)

In early 1986, Beggars' Banquet compiled all the 12" mixes of the band's singles onto a UK-only LP entitled Seven Singles Deep, which hit No. 52 on the UK Albums Chart.

This album has never been released on CD, so it's a true first to have a digital version presented here.

The Icicle Works - The Best of The Icicle Works (45th Anniversary 1980-2025) (2025 Digital Remaster) (2025)

The one and only best of the Icicle Works collection was originally released in 1992 but was slammed by many music fans and critics for not including all the best singles and album tracks, and suffered from some really dubious choices. I think my newly restored compilation rectifies those errors and makes for a much stronger collection of their very best work.

Check out the Record Collector PDF issue in the artwork folder which has a great feature on 45 of the best Liverpool 45s in which The Icicle Works are included with 1983's "Love Is a Wonderful Colour".    

Enjoy!

K

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Track lists

The Icicle Works - The Icicle Works (2006 De-Luxe Limited Edition)

CD1

01 The Icicle Works - Chop the Tree 4:43

02 The Icicle Works - Love Is a Wonderful Colour 4:15

03 The Icicle Works - Reaping the Rich Harvest 4:07

04 The Icicle Works - As the Dragonfly Flies 3:58

05 The Icicle Works - Lovers' Day 4:49

06 The Icicle Works - In the Cauldron of Love 3:50

07 The Icicle Works - Out of Season 4:46

08 The Icicle Works - A Factory in the Desert 3:11

09 The Icicle Works - Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream) 3:49

10 The Icicle Works - Nirvana 5:08

CD2

01 The Icicle Works - All Is Right 3:57

02 The Icicle Works - When Winter Lasted Forever 4:46

03 The Icicle Works - Love Hunt 3:45

04 The Icicle Works - Reverie Girl 3:58

05 The Icicle Works - Gun Boys 3:46

06 The Icicle Works - Love Is a Wonderful Colour 6:46

07 The Icicle Works - Waterline 4:17

08 The Icicle Works - In the Dance the Shaman Led 3:41

09 The Icicle Works - The Devil on Horseback 4:25

10 The Icicle Works - Mountain Comes to Mohammed 4:01

11 The Icicle Works - Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream) 5:21

12 The Icicle Works - Scarecrow 3:07

13 The Icicle Works - Ragweed Campaign 4:13

14 The Icicle Works - The Atheist 4:27

15 The Icicle Works - Nirvana 8:48

CD3

01 The Icicle Works - Chop the Tree [BBC Session] 4:22

02 The Icicle Works - Love is a Wonderful Colour [BBC Session] 4:28

03 The Icicle Works - Reaping the Rich Harvest [BBC Session] 4:09

04 The Icicle Works - As the Dragonfly Flies [BBC Session] 4:04

05 The Icicle Works - Lovers Day [BBC Session] 3:55

06 The Icicle Works - In the Cauldron of Love [BBC Session] 4:01

07 The Icicle Works - Out of Season [BBC Session] 4:22

08 The Icicle Works - A Factory in the Desert [BBC Session] 3:10

09 The Icicle Works - Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream) [BBC Session] 3:52

10 The Icicle Works - Nirvana [BBC Session] 3:38

11 The Icicle Works - Waterline [BBC Session] 4:00

12 The Icicle Works - Love Hunt [BBC Session] 3:51

The Icicle Works - The Small Price of a Bicycle (2011 Expanded Edition)

CD1

01 The Icicle Works - Hollow Horse 4:05

02 The Icicle Works - Perambulator 3:59

03 The Icicle Works - Seven Horses 4:19

04 The Icicle Works - Rapids 4:28

05 The Icicle Works - Windfall 4:14

06 The Icicle Works - Assumed Sundown 5:52

07 The Icicle Works - Saint’s Sojourn 4:31

08 The Icicle Works - All The Daughters 4:32

09 The Icicle Works - Book Of reason 3:48

10 The Icicle Works - Conscience Of Kings 5:12

CD2

01 Icicle Works - Hollow Horse [Extended Version] 5:03

02 Icicle Works - Book of Reason [USA Extended Version] 4:36

03 Icicle Works - All the Daughters [Extended Version] 6:31

04 Icicle Works - A Pocketful of Nothing 3:55

05 Icicle Works - Mr. Soul 3:16

06 Icicle Works - Mission Bells 4:00

07 Icicle Works - Seven Horses [American Version] 4:49

08 Icicle Works - Slingshot 4:22

09 Icicle Works - Beggars Legacy 3:47

10 Icicle Works - Goin' Back 3:56

11 Icicle Works - When It All Comes Down [Extended Version] 6:33

12 Icicle Works - (Let's Go) Down To the River 4:00

13 Icicle Works - Cold Turkey 4:31

14 Icicle Works - Seven Horses [Demo] 4:50

15 Icicle Works - Perambulator [Demo] 4:03

16 Icicle Works - Assumed Sundown [Demo] 5:27

17 Icicle Works - Beggars Legacy [Demo] 3:36

CD3

01 Icicle Works - When It All Comes Down [Abridged Version] 4:20

02 Icicle Works - Saint's Sojourn [Demo] 4:47

03 Icicle Works - Hollow Horse [John Peel Session 15/08/1984] 4:11

04 Icicle Works - Deep In the Woods [John Peel Session 15/08/1984] 4:14

05 Icicle Works - Conscience of Kings [John Peel Session 15/08/1984] 5:16

06 Icicle Works - When You Hear the Mission Bells [John Peel Session 15/08/1984] 4:24

07 Icicle Works - Perambulator [Janice Long Session 24/4/85] 4:02

08 Icicle Works - All the Daughters (of Her Father's House) [Janice Long Session 24/4/85] 4:31

09 Icicle Works - Diamond In the Rough [Janice Long Session 24/4/85] 4:46

10 Icicle Works - Impossibly Three Lovers [Janice Long Session 24/4/85] 4:33

11 Icicle Works - Seven Horses [Live] 4:19

12 Icicle Works - Perambulator [Live] 4:14

13 Icicle Works - Rapids [Live] 4:29

14 Icicle Works - Hollow Horse [Live At the Albert, Lark Lane 1985] 4:35

15 Icicle Works - You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet [Live At the Albert, Lark Lane 1985] 3:28

The Icicle Works - Seven Singles Deep (2024 Digitally Remastered Edition)

01 The Icicle Works - Hollow Horse (Long Version) 4:56

02 The Icicle Works - Love Is a Wonderful Colour (Long Version) 6:46

03 The Icicle Works - Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream) (Frantic Mix) 5:21

04 The Icicle Works - All the Daughters (of Her Father's House) (Long Version) 5:05

05 The Icicle Works - When It All Comes Down (Unabridged Version) 6:33

06 The Icicle Works - Seven Horses (American Version) 4:49

07 The Icicle Works - Rapids 4:28

The Icicle Works - If You Want to Defeat Your Enemy Sing His Song (2011 Expanded Edition) 

CD1

01 The Icicle Works - Hope Springs Eternal 4:07

02 The Icicle Works - Travelling Chest 4:42

03 The Icicle Works - Sweet Thursday 4:18

04 The Icicle Works - Up Here In The North Of England 5:13

05 The Icicle Works - Who Do You Want For Your Love? 4:00

06 The Icicle Works - When You Were Mine 4:39

07 The Icicle Works - Evangeline 4:06

08 The Icicle Works - Truck Driver’s Lament 5:21

09 The Icicle Works - Understanding Jane 3:24

10 The Icicle Works - Walking With A Mountain 4:46

CD2

01 The Icicle Works - I Never Saw My Hometown 'Til I Went Around the World 2:51

02 The Icicle Works - Into the Mystic 3:41

03 The Icicle Works - Sweet Thursday [Extended Single Mix] 6:03

04 The Icicle Works - Don't Let It Rain on My Parade [Full Version] 4:37

05 The Icicle Works - When You Were Mine 4:07

06 The Icicle Works - Evangeline [Demo Version] 4:12

07 The Icicle Works - Everybody Loves to Play the Fool 4:09

08 The Icicle Works - Waiting in the Wings 4:36

09 The Icicle Works - It Makes No Difference 4:39

10 The Icicle Works - Sea Song 5:23

11 The Icicle Works - Nature's Way 3:05

12 The Icicle Works - Waylaid 4:12

13 The Icicle Works - The Needle and the Damage Done 2:36

14 The Icicle Works - Sweet Thursday [Acoustic Version] 4:27

15 The Icicle Works - Don't Let It Rain on My Parade 4:03

16 The Icicle Works - Impossibly Three Lovers 5:16

17 The Icicle Works - John Geoffrey Muir, Shopkeeper 3:42

CD3

01 The Icicle Works - Hollow Horse 4:36

02 The Icicle Works - Perambulator 4:41

03 The Icicle Works - Who Do You Want For Your Love? 4:19

04 The Icicle Works - Understanding Jane 3:54

05 The Icicle Works - Love is a Wonderful Colour 4:40

06 The Icicle Works - Travelling Chest 4:57

07 The Icicle Works - Sweet Thursday 4:48

08 The Icicle Works - Into the Mystic 4:07

09 The Icicle Works - Hope Springs Eternal 3:52

10 The Icicle Works - When it All Comes Down 8:04

11 The Icicle Works - All the Daughters (of Her Father's House) 5:08

12 The Icicle Works - Birds Fly 10:32

13 The Icicle Works - A Factory in the Desert 3:08

14 The Icicle Works - In the Cauldron of Love 3:55

15 The Icicle Works - Should I Stay or Should I Go? 2:55

16 The Icicle Works - Roadhouse Blues 5:38

The Icicle Works - Blind (2011 Expanded Edition)

CD1

01 The Icicle Works - Intro 0:32

02 The Icicle Works - Shit Creek 4:01

03 The Icicle Works - High Time 3:35

04 The Icicle Works - Little Girl Lost 4:39

05 The Icicle Works - Starry Blue eyed Wonder 4:12

06 The Icicle Works - One true Love 1:50

07 The Icicle Works - Blind 5:35

08 The Icicle Works - Two Two Three 2:23

09 The Icicle Works - What Do You Want Me To Do? 3:13

10 The Icicle Works - Stood Before St. Peter 5:24

11 The Icicle Works - The Kiss Off 4:21

12 The Icicle Works - Here Comes Trouble 4:02

13 The Icicle Works - Walk A While With Me 4:25

CD2

01 The Icicle Works - Firepower 3:44

02 The Icicle Works - Solid Ground 3:21

03 The Icicle Works - Like Weather 5:41

04 The Icicle Works - Broken Hearted Fool 3:43

05 The Icicle Works - The Kiss Off (12" Mix) 4:16

06 The Icicle Works - Sure Thing 4:59

07 The Icicle Works - High Time (Acoustic) 3:36

08 The Icicle Works - Whipping Boy 4:36

09 The Icicle Works - Tin Can 3:21

10 The Icicle Works - Hot Profit Gospel 3:45

11 The Icicle Works - One Time 6:24

12 The Icicle Works - Chestnut Mare 4:52

13 The Icicle Works - Acid Hell Nightmare 4:08

14 The Icicle Works - The Kiss Off (Extended Remix) 5:58

15 The Icicle Works - The Kiss Off (Instrumental Dub) 4:51

CD3

01 The Icicle Works - When It All Comes Down ('92 Version) 5:47

02 The Icicle Works - Little Girl Lost (Demo) 5:09

03 The Icicle Works - Starry Blue Eyed Wonder (Demo) 4:45

04 The Icicle Works - Here Comes Trouble (Demo) 4:08

05 The Icicle Works - Slipping Into Darkness (Shit Creek Demo) 4:21

06 The Icicle Works - Light In The Window 3:32

07 The Icicle Works - One True Love (Doggy Mix) 2:44

08 The Icicle Works - Private Revolution (Live) 4:23

09 The Icicle Works - Travelling Chest (Live) 4:00

10 The Icicle Works - Starry Blue Eyed Wonder (Live) 4:31

11 The Icicle Works - For What It's Worth - Medley (Live) 6:02

12 The Icicle Works - Rock And Roll (Live) 4:03

The Icicle Works - Permanent Damage (2009 Expanded Edition) 

CD1

01 The Icicle Works - I Still Want You 3:36

02 The Icicle Works - Motorcycle Rider 3:35

03 The Icicle Works - Melanie Still Hurts 4:14

04 The Icicle Works - Hope Street Rag 3:28

05 The Icicle Works - I Think I'm Gonna Be OK 3:11

06 The Icicle Works - Baby Don't Burn 4:11

07 The Icicle Works - What She Did To My Mind 7:20

08 The Icicle Works - One Good Eye 4:48

09 The Icicle Works - Permanent Damage 3:17

10 The Icicle Works - Woman On My Mind 3:43

11 The Icicle Works - Looks Like Rain 2:12

12 The Icicle Works - Dumb Angel 3:34

CD2

01 The Icicle Works - Turn Any Corner 3:07

02 The Icicle Works - Let's Get Loaded 2:11

03 The Icicle Works - Red Lightning 2:44

04 The Icicle Works - People Change 2:37

05 The Icicle Works - Victoria's Ghost 2:38

06 The Icicle Works - When the Crying's Done 2:45

07 The Icicle Works - Mickey's Blue 3:04

08 The Icicle Works - I Dreamt I Was a Beautiful Woman 2:27

09 The Icicle Works - I Want That Girl 3:21

10 The Icicle Works - Wouldn't It Be Great 2:51

11 The Icicle Works - Sweet Disposition 3:42

12 The Icicle Works - It's Not Gonna Rain Forever 3:06

The Icicle Works - The Best of The Icicle Works (45th Anniversary 1980-2025) (2025 Digital Remaster) 

01 The Icicle Works - Love Is a Wonderful Colour 4:13

02 The Icicle Works - Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream) (Original 1983 UK 7" Single Version) 3:49

03 The Icicle Works - Out of Season 4:46

04 The Icicle Works - Hollow Horse (Long Version) 4:56

05 The Icicle Works - All the Daughters (of Her Father's House) (Long Version) 5:05

06 The Icicle Works - Seven Horses (American Version) 4:49

07 The Icicle Works - When It All Comes Down (Unabridged Version) 6:33

08 The Icicle Works - Rapids 4:28

09 The Icicle Works - Understanding Jane (Original 1986 7" Single Version) 3:24

10 The Icicle Works - Who Do You Want for Your Love? 4:00

11 The Icicle Works - Evangeline 4:06

12 The Icicle Works - Little Girl Lost 4:39

13 The Icicle Works - High Time 3:35

14 The Icicle Works - Here Comes Trouble 4:02

15 The Icicle Works - Blind 5:35

16 The Icicle Works - Melanie Still Hurts 4:14

17 The Icicle Works - Conscience of Kings 5:12

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