Measure For Measure
	Produced by David Lord, Rhet Davies
	Released on 1986
	US CHART POSITION #55
	Find it at GEMM
BFV 41527 cover

T he ghost of Primitive Man returned and all was right with the world of Icehouse once more. A good album by any measure, this stood up to the high standard of their best work without slouching as Sidewalk had. Homage to Roxy (whose Brian Eno appears as a guest), David Bowie and even T. Rex (“Baby, You’re So Strange) is apparent, but the real reference point is Japan, a band who drew from the same well of inspiration. Perhaps for good measure, Icehouse underscores the point by appropriating Japan drummer Steve Jansen for a few tracks. As with Primitive Man, there isn’t a bad track on here. Some rise to remarkable heights, none moreso than “Paradise,” as lovely as anything to slip from Avalon’s hushed world. Other highlights include the exotic “The Flame” (where Eno’s involvement is most apparent) and haunting love songs like “Angel Street” and “No Promises.” Some of the singles had an eye toward more agitated cuts, including “Cross The Border” and “Mr. Big.” Really, if you only owned Primitive Man and Measure For Measure, you’d have the heart of Icehouse’s achievement. The subsequent Man of Colours is a good record, but seemed to be aiming for the same audience as OMD with “Electric Blue” and “Crazy.” The material here is more substantive, rich and atmospheric and edgy. In fact, you could argue that songs like “Lucky Me” had an influence on David Bowie (it sounds a lot like the music from Black Tie/White Noise). If you’re into Icehouse, this and Primitive Man will give you chills. Note that the CD adds two tracks: “Too Late Now” and “Into The Wild.” Also, track order for the Australian and US releases is different (see below).

BFV 41527 back cover

TRACK LISTING

AUS'L track listing

1. PARADISE
2. NO PROMISES
3. MR. BIG
4. ANGEL STREET
5. THE FLAME
6. REGULAR BOYS
7. CROSS THE BORDER
8. SPANISH GOLD
9. LUCKY ME
10. BABY, YOU'RE SO STRANGE
    
    US track listing
    
1. NO PROMISES    (Iva Dvaies/Robert Kretschmer)    4:39
2. CROSS THE BORDER    (Iva Davies/Robert Kretschmer)    4:22
3. SPANISH GOLD    (Iva Davies)    4:15
4. PARADISE    (Iva Davies)    4:44
5. THE FLAME    (Iva Davies)    4:45
6. REGULAR BOYS    (Iva Davies/Robert Kretschmer)    3:31
7. MR. BIG    (Iva Davies/Robert Kretschmer)    3:32
8. ANGEL STREET    (Iva Davies/Robert Kretschmer)    4:44
9. LUCKY ME    (Iva Davies/Robert Kretschmer)    4:37
10. BABY, YOU'RE SO STRANGE    (Iva Davies/Robert Kretschmer)    3:58
11. (CD bonus track:) TOO LATE NOW
12. (CD bonus track:) INTO THE WILD
    
    CD expanded reissue bonus tracks
    
13. JUST A WORD
14. THE PERFECT GAME
15. THE FLAME (LIVE)
16. NO PROMISES (LIVE)
17. SISTER (LIVE)

CREDITS

IVA DAVIES -- lead vocals, guitars, keyboards, Fairlight music computer
ROBERT KRETSCHMER -- lead guitars, guitar treatments
SIMON LLOYD -- reeds and brass, solo trumpet, keyboard programmes, Fairlight
GUY PRATT -- bass guitar, fretless bass
ANDY QUNTA -- keyboards, backing vocals
MASAKI TANAZAWA -- drums and percussion
Eno -- backing vocals, treated piano and keyboards
Steve Jansen -- drums and percussion
Stuart Gordon -- string section
Gasper Lawal -- additional percussion
David Lord -- additional keyboards, additional percussion, string arrangement, mixing
Shena Power -- girls voices
Glen Tommey -- additional percussion
Rhet Davies -- engineer
Warne Livesey -- engineer, mixing
Andy Lyden -- additional engineer
Simon Fowler -- photography
Norman Moore -- art direction, design
Rick Dobbis -- art direction

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