Icehouse (album)
Encyclopedia
Icehouse was the debut album released by Australia
n rock
Synthpop
band Flowers, later known as Icehouse
, on the independent label Regular Records in October 1980. The title and the artist are sometimes incorrectly swapped, because the band changed their name from Flowers into Icehouse after this album was released. Containing the Top 20 Australian hits "Can't Help Myself
", "We Can Get Together
" and "Walls
"; the album made heavy use of synthesisers, which would continue to be used throughout the band's career. Founder Iva Davies
wrote all the tracks including four co-written with keyboardist
Michael Hoste, however Hoste was replaced during recording sessions by Anthony Smith. In October 2010, Icehouse (1980) by Flowers was listed in the book, 100 Best Australian Albums
.
(vocals, guitar
, bass guitar
, keyboards
, oboe
), a classically trained musician, and their main creative force; with bass
player Keith Welsh. Davies was working as a part-time cleaner at a squash court managed by Welsh's mother, they lived nearby and were both interested in forming a band. Additional musicians used by Flowers in 1978 were Anthony Smith, who was some times called Adam Hall, on keyboards and Don Brown on drums
. The band built up a strong following as a live act around the pub circuit
, providing distinctive cover version
s of songs by Roxy Music
, David Bowie
, Lou Reed
, T-Rex, Ultravox
and Brian Eno
.
The lead track "Icehouse
" had been written by Davies when he lived at 18 Tryon Road, Lindfield
in an old, cold flat of a two-storey mansion - across the street was a dishevelled house which had its lights on all night peopled by short-term residents. Davies only learned it was a half-way house for psychiatric and drug rehab patients after he wrote the song.
in early 1981 for the European, Japanese, UK and US releases Flowers had to change their name due to legal restrictions preventing confusion with a Scottish group The Flowers. Therefore when the album was released on the international markets, in June 1981 by Chrysalis, it was released under the band's new name, Icehouse.
Russell Mulcahy
, an expatriate Australian living in London, directed the music video for "Icehouse", which was released as a single in Europe and North America. The Top 10 single "Love in Motion
" c/w "Goodnight Mr Matthews" was recorded by Davies in London after the band had changed their name from Flowers to Icehouse.
This release was re-issued on CD (CD 38441) in 1992 with the following bonus tracks:
The 2002 remastered CD (0927489812) also contained the additional bonus tracks:
Tracks 15 and 16 were recorded by Iva Davies in 1981 and credited to Icehouse.
The album charted at number 4 in Australia and remained in the charts for a 45 weeks. It eventually achieved quadruple platinum status (in excess of 300,000 albums sold). In New Zealand the album also achieved quadruple platinum status.
Additional musicians
Recording details
Art work
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
Synthpop
Synthpop
Synthpop is a genre of popular music that first became prominent in the 1980s, in which the synthesizer is the dominant musical instrument. It was prefigured in the 1960s and early 1970s by the use of synthesizers in progressive rock, electronic art rock, disco and particularly the "Kraut rock" of...
band Flowers, later known as Icehouse
Icehouse (band)
Icehouse is an Australian rock band, formed as Flowers in 1977 in Sydney. Initially known in Australia for their pub rock style, they later achieved mainstream success playing new wave and synthpop style music and attained Top Ten singles chart success in both Europe and the U.S...
, on the independent label Regular Records in October 1980. The title and the artist are sometimes incorrectly swapped, because the band changed their name from Flowers into Icehouse after this album was released. Containing the Top 20 Australian hits "Can't Help Myself
Can't Help Myself
"Can't Help Myself" is the debut single released by Australian synthpop / rock band Flowers, later known as Icehouse. It was released in May 1980 as a 7" vinyl single on independent label, Regular Records, five months ahead of debut album Icehouse...
", "We Can Get Together
We Can Get Together
"We Can Get Together" is the second single released by Australian rock band Flowers, later known as Icehouse. It was released in October 1980, on independent label Regular Records from their debut album Icehouse, two weeks before the album itself was released...
" and "Walls
Walls (Icehouse song)
"Walls" is the third single released by Australian rock band Flowers, later known as Icehouse. It was released in January 1981, on independent label Regular Records from their debut album, Icehouse, it peaked at #20 on the Australian Kent Music Reoport Singles Charts...
"; the album made heavy use of synthesisers, which would continue to be used throughout the band's career. Founder Iva Davies
Iva Davies
Iva Davies , is the frontman for Australian electro/new wave/rock band Icehouse.-Biography:...
wrote all the tracks including four co-written with keyboardist
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
Michael Hoste, however Hoste was replaced during recording sessions by Anthony Smith. In October 2010, Icehouse (1980) by Flowers was listed in the book, 100 Best Australian Albums
100 Best Australian Albums
100 Best Australian Albums is a compendium of rock and pop albums of the past 50 years as compiled by music journalists Toby Creswell, Craig Mathieson and John O'Donnell. The book was published on 25 October 2010 by Hardie Grant Books...
.
Flowers (1980)
Flowers were formed in Sydney in 1977 by Iva DaviesIva Davies
Iva Davies , is the frontman for Australian electro/new wave/rock band Icehouse.-Biography:...
(vocals, guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, keyboards
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, oboe
Oboe
The oboe is a double reed musical instrument of the woodwind family. In English, prior to 1770, the instrument was called "hautbois" , "hoboy", or "French hoboy". The spelling "oboe" was adopted into English ca...
), a classically trained musician, and their main creative force; with bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
player Keith Welsh. Davies was working as a part-time cleaner at a squash court managed by Welsh's mother, they lived nearby and were both interested in forming a band. Additional musicians used by Flowers in 1978 were Anthony Smith, who was some times called Adam Hall, on keyboards and Don Brown on drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
. The band built up a strong following as a live act around the pub circuit
Pub rock (Australia)
Pub rock is a style of Australian rock and roll popular throughout the 1970s and 1980s, and still influencing contemporary Australian music today....
, providing distinctive cover version
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
s of songs by Roxy Music
Roxy Music
Roxy Music was a British art rock band formed in 1971 by Bryan Ferry, who became the group's lead vocalist and chief songwriter, and bassist Graham Simpson. The other members are Phil Manzanera , Andy Mackay and Paul Thompson . Former members include Brian Eno , and Eddie Jobson...
, David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
, Lou Reed
Lou Reed
Lewis Allan "Lou" Reed is an American rock musician, songwriter, and photographer. He is best known as guitarist, vocalist, and principal songwriter of The Velvet Underground, and for his successful solo career, which has spanned several decades...
, T-Rex, Ultravox
Ultravox
Ultravox is a British New Wave rock band. They were one of the primary exponents of the British electronic pop music movement of the late 1970s/early 1980s. The band was particularly associated with the New Romantic and New Wave movements....
and Brian Eno
Brian Eno
Brian Peter George St. John le Baptiste de la Salle Eno , commonly known as Brian Eno or simply as Eno , is an English musician, composer, record producer, singer and visual artist, known as one of the principal innovators of ambient music.Eno studied at Colchester Institute art school in Essex,...
.
The lead track "Icehouse
Icehouse (song)
"Icehouse" is a song by Australian rock band Flowers. It was released as a single in Europe in 1982 by Chrysalis Records from their debut album Icehouse, after the band changed their name to Icehouse...
" had been written by Davies when he lived at 18 Tryon Road, Lindfield
Lindfield, New South Wales
Lindfield is a suburb on the Upper North Shore of Sydney in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Lindfield is 13 kilometres north-west of the Sydney Central Business District in the local government area of Ku-ring-gai Council.- Location and history :...
in an old, cold flat of a two-storey mansion - across the street was a dishevelled house which had its lights on all night peopled by short-term residents. Davies only learned it was a half-way house for psychiatric and drug rehab patients after he wrote the song.
Icehouse (1981)
Following their signing with Chrysalis RecordsChrysalis Records
Chrysalis Records was a British record label that was created in 1969. The name was both a reference to the pupal stage of a butterfly and a combination of its founders names, Chris Wright and Terry Ellis...
in early 1981 for the European, Japanese, UK and US releases Flowers had to change their name due to legal restrictions preventing confusion with a Scottish group The Flowers. Therefore when the album was released on the international markets, in June 1981 by Chrysalis, it was released under the band's new name, Icehouse.
Russell Mulcahy
Russell Mulcahy
Russell Mulcahy is an Australian film director. His work is easily recognized by his use of fast cuts, tracking shots and use of glowing lights.- Music videos :...
, an expatriate Australian living in London, directed the music video for "Icehouse", which was released as a single in Europe and North America. The Top 10 single "Love in Motion
Love in Motion (Icehouse song)
"Love in Motion" is the first new material released by Australian rock synthpop band Icehouse as a 7" Vinyl Single-only in October 1981 on Regular Records for the Australian market...
" c/w "Goodnight Mr Matthews" was recorded by Davies in London after the band had changed their name from Flowers to Icehouse.
Re-release (2002)
In October 2002 Warner Music released remastered and expanded copies of all Icehouse's albums The 2002 re-release includes a number of tracks that were not on the original Icehouse album, including the 1981 single "Love in Motion" and its B-side "Goodnight Mr Matthews". Most of the vocals were re-recorded.1980 Australian release
- "IcehouseIcehouse (song)"Icehouse" is a song by Australian rock band Flowers. It was released as a single in Europe in 1982 by Chrysalis Records from their debut album Icehouse, after the band changed their name to Icehouse...
" - 4:23 - "We Can Get TogetherWe Can Get Together"We Can Get Together" is the second single released by Australian rock band Flowers, later known as Icehouse. It was released in October 1980, on independent label Regular Records from their debut album Icehouse, two weeks before the album itself was released...
" - 3:47 - "Fatman" - 3:53
- "Sister" (Iva Davies, Michael Hoste) - 3:24
- "WallsWalls (Icehouse song)"Walls" is the third single released by Australian rock band Flowers, later known as Icehouse. It was released in January 1981, on independent label Regular Records from their debut album, Icehouse, it peaked at #20 on the Australian Kent Music Reoport Singles Charts...
" - 4:22 - "Can't Help MyselfCan't Help Myself"Can't Help Myself" is the debut single released by Australian synthpop / rock band Flowers, later known as Icehouse. It was released in May 1980 as a 7" vinyl single on independent label, Regular Records, five months ahead of debut album Icehouse...
" - 3:10 - "Skin" (Iva Davies, Michael Hoste) - 2:44
- "Sons" - 4:32
- "Boulevarde" (Iva Davies, Michael Hoste) - 3:12
- "Nothing To Do" (Iva Davies, Michael Hoste) - 3:20
- "Not My Kind" - 3:36
This release was re-issued on CD (CD 38441) in 1992 with the following bonus tracks:
- "Send Somebody" (B-side to "Can't Help MyselfCan't Help Myself"Can't Help Myself" is the debut single released by Australian synthpop / rock band Flowers, later known as Icehouse. It was released in May 1980 as a 7" vinyl single on independent label, Regular Records, five months ahead of debut album Icehouse...
") (Iva Davies, Michael Hoste) - 3:42 - "All the Way" (B-side to "WallsWalls (Icehouse song)"Walls" is the third single released by Australian rock band Flowers, later known as Icehouse. It was released in January 1981, on independent label Regular Records from their debut album, Icehouse, it peaked at #20 on the Australian Kent Music Reoport Singles Charts...
") - 3:50 - "Paradise Lost" (Instrumental) (B-side to "We Can Get Together") - 5:53
The 2002 remastered CD (0927489812) also contained the additional bonus tracks:
- #"Love in MotionLove in Motion (Icehouse song)"Love in Motion" is the first new material released by Australian rock synthpop band Icehouse as a 7" Vinyl Single-only in October 1981 on Regular Records for the Australian market...
" (Original Single Mix) - 3:41 - "Goodnight Mr Matthews" (B-side to "Love In Motion") - 4:21
- "Can't Help Myself" (Original 10" Mix) - 3:41
Tracks 15 and 16 were recorded by Iva Davies in 1981 and credited to Icehouse.
1981 UK / US release
Released in June 1981, under band name Icehouse, with different cover art, several tracks remixed and with re-recorded vocals.- "IcehouseIcehouse (song)"Icehouse" is a song by Australian rock band Flowers. It was released as a single in Europe in 1982 by Chrysalis Records from their debut album Icehouse, after the band changed their name to Icehouse...
" - 4:13 - "Can't Help MyselfCan't Help Myself"Can't Help Myself" is the debut single released by Australian synthpop / rock band Flowers, later known as Icehouse. It was released in May 1980 as a 7" vinyl single on independent label, Regular Records, five months ahead of debut album Icehouse...
" - 3:52 - "Sister" (Iva Davies, Michael Hoste) - 3:28
- "WallsWalls (Icehouse song)"Walls" is the third single released by Australian rock band Flowers, later known as Icehouse. It was released in January 1981, on independent label Regular Records from their debut album, Icehouse, it peaked at #20 on the Australian Kent Music Reoport Singles Charts...
" - 4:02 - "Sons" - 4:35
- "We Can Get TogetherWe Can Get Together"We Can Get Together" is the second single released by Australian rock band Flowers, later known as Icehouse. It was released in October 1980, on independent label Regular Records from their debut album Icehouse, two weeks before the album itself was released...
" - 3:41 - "Boulevarde" (Iva Davies, Michael Hoste) - 3:17
- "Fatman" - 3:52
- "Skin" (Iva Davies, Michael Hoste) - 2:47
- "Not My Kind" - 3:36
2011 30th Anniversary Edition
Released in May 2011, this two-disc release includes the 2002 remastered version on the first disc, with the second disc containing live versions of the following songs:- "Boulevarde" - 3:20
- "Funtime" - 2:27
- "Man Who Dies Every Day" - 3:54
- "Fatman" - 3:52
- "Sorry" - 3:08
- "Cold Turkey" - 4:13
- "We Can Get TogetherWe Can Get Together"We Can Get Together" is the second single released by Australian rock band Flowers, later known as Icehouse. It was released in October 1980, on independent label Regular Records from their debut album Icehouse, two weeks before the album itself was released...
" - 3:53 - "Nothing to Do" - 3:24
- "Icehouse" - 4:50
- "Send Somebody" - 3:33
- "Sons" - 4:52
- "Skin" - 2:53
- "WallsWalls (Icehouse song)"Walls" is the third single released by Australian rock band Flowers, later known as Icehouse. It was released in January 1981, on independent label Regular Records from their debut album, Icehouse, it peaked at #20 on the Australian Kent Music Reoport Singles Charts...
" - 4:49 - "All The Way" - 4:05
- "Goodnight Mr Matthews" - 3:43
- "Love in MotionLove in Motion (Icehouse song)"Love in Motion" is the first new material released by Australian rock synthpop band Icehouse as a 7" Vinyl Single-only in October 1981 on Regular Records for the Australian market...
" - 4:02 - "Not My Kind" - 3:43
- "Sister" - 3:30
- "Can't Help MyselfCan't Help Myself"Can't Help Myself" is the debut single released by Australian synthpop / rock band Flowers, later known as Icehouse. It was released in May 1980 as a 7" vinyl single on independent label, Regular Records, five months ahead of debut album Icehouse...
" - 6:57
Singles
- "Can't Help MyselfCan't Help Myself"Can't Help Myself" is the debut single released by Australian synthpop / rock band Flowers, later known as Icehouse. It was released in May 1980 as a 7" vinyl single on independent label, Regular Records, five months ahead of debut album Icehouse...
" c/w "Send Somebody" (#10 AUS) - "We Can Get TogetherWe Can Get Together"We Can Get Together" is the second single released by Australian rock band Flowers, later known as Icehouse. It was released in October 1980, on independent label Regular Records from their debut album Icehouse, two weeks before the album itself was released...
" c/w "Paradise Lost" (#16 AUS; #62 US) - "WallsWalls (Icehouse song)"Walls" is the third single released by Australian rock band Flowers, later known as Icehouse. It was released in January 1981, on independent label Regular Records from their debut album, Icehouse, it peaked at #20 on the Australian Kent Music Reoport Singles Charts...
" c/w "All The Way" (#20 AUS) - "IcehouseIcehouse (song)"Icehouse" is a song by Australian rock band Flowers. It was released as a single in Europe in 1982 by Chrysalis Records from their debut album Icehouse, after the band changed their name to Icehouse...
" c/w "Cold Turkey" (#28 US Rock tracksMainstream Rock TracksHot Mainstream Rock Tracks is a ranking in Billboard magazine of the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations, a category that includes stations that play primarily rock music. Modern rock tracks are counted in the Alternative Songs chart.This chart began with the March 21, 1981, issue...
) - "Love in MotionLove in Motion (Icehouse song)"Love in Motion" is the first new material released by Australian rock synthpop band Icehouse as a 7" Vinyl Single-only in October 1981 on Regular Records for the Australian market...
" c/w "Goodnight, Mr. Matthews" (#10 AUS) Originally a single-only release.
Chart positions
| Year | Chart | Peak |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australian Chart | 4 |
| 1981 | Billboard Top Pop Albums | 82 |
The album charted at number 4 in Australia and remained in the charts for a 45 weeks. It eventually achieved quadruple platinum status (in excess of 300,000 albums sold). In New Zealand the album also achieved quadruple platinum status.
Personnel
Flowers members- Iva DaviesIva DaviesIva Davies , is the frontman for Australian electro/new wave/rock band Icehouse.-Biography:...
– vocals, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, oboeOboeThe oboe is a double reed musical instrument of the woodwind family. In English, prior to 1770, the instrument was called "hautbois" , "hoboy", or "French hoboy". The spelling "oboe" was adopted into English ca...
, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments... - Michael Hoste – keyboards, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
on "Sons" (replaced by Smith during recording sessions) - John Lloyd – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, backing vocals - Anthony Smith – keyboards, backing vocals
- Keith Welsh – Bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, backing vocals
Additional musicians
- Ian MossIan MossIan Moss is an Australian rock musician, best known as the guitarist and occasional singer of Cold Chisel. In that group's initial ten year career, Moss recorded eight albums, three of which were No. 1 national hits. His solo career began with a No. 1 album and single and five ARIA Awards...
– guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
on "Skin" - Geoff Oakes – saxophoneSaxophoneThe saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
on "Sons"
Recording details
- Engineer: John Bee, David Cafe, Gerry Nixon
- Producer: Cameron Allan, Iva Davies
- Studios: Studio 301 except "Can't Help Myself" and "Send Somebody", recorded at Paradise Studios.
- Mastering: David Hemming, Rick O'Neil
- Digital re-mastering (2002): Iva Davies, Scott Ryan, Tim Ryan
Art work
- Cover art: John Lloyd
- Inside art: Geoff Gifford
- Photography: Grant Matthews