Named after the 1960 short story "The Day The Icicle Works Closed" by science fiction author Frederik Pohl, The Icicle Works joined Liverpool's early 1980s 'neo-psychedelia' wave, which also propelled Echo & the Bunnymen and The Teardrop Explodes to stardom.
The band was founded in Liverpool by 18-year-old singer, songwriter, guitarist, keyboardist and frontman Ian McNabb. In 1980, McNabb joined up with drummer Chris Sharrock (who had been playing with McNabb on and off since he was nine) and bassist Chris Layhe (who had been recruited though a classified ad), and they began playing as The Icicle Works. By the end of 1981, the trio had recorded a six-song independently released cassette, and 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' would release their biggest UK hit, 1983's Love Is a Wonderful Colour. Their debut eponymous album (1984) would follow shortly thereafter, reaching number 24 on the UK charts, and also hitting the U.S. top 40. Also appearing on the U.S. top 40 singles charts at around the same time (and hitting the Canadian top twenty) was Whisper to a Scream (Birds Fly), a retitled and very slightly remixed version of The Icicle Works' Situation Two release of 1983.
However, commercial success for The Icicle Works after this point was minimal. Their second album, The Small Price of a Bicycle (1985) spun off no hit singles, and wasn't even released outside the UK. Later albums If You Want to Defeat Your Enemy Sing His Song (1987), and Blind (1988) were both issued in the UK and North America, and even spun off minor hits. Nevertheless, no post-1984 Icicle Works single would chart higher than 52 in the UK, and after "Whisper To A Scream", the band never again made the US Hot 100.
Some have attributed this unfortunate commercial decline to The Icicle Works' change in sound over the years, from an initial 'new wave' feel to a more straight-ahead rock sound inspired by Neil Young, The Doors, and the Ramones, amongst others. But whatever the cause, despite critical acclaim the band was unable to consistently record hit singles. As well, 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 also producing the group's records.
Accordingly, shortly after Blind was issued, drummer Chris Sharrock departed to The La's. Sharrock would later be a member of The Lightning Seeds and World Party, and would also drum for Robbie Williams, Del Amitri and Eurythmics. Around this same time, Layhe also departed, and Beggars Banquet dropped the group from their roster.
Undaunted, McNabb soldiered on under The Icicle Works banner for a while. Zak Starkey, son of Ringo Starr, briefly occupied the drumstool, while various keyboardists, bassists, and guitarists passed through before the band released Permanent Damage (1990), recorded for Epic/Sony. By that time, the band's lineup was McNabb, bassist Roy Corkill, former 10cc and Jethro Tull drummer Paul Burgess, keyboardist Dave Baldwin, and backing vocalist Mark Revell.
This 'second-generation' version of The Icicle Works quietly broke up after Permanent Damage failed to chart, and Epic dropped the band. Ian McNabb's solo career officially began in 1991 with the release of the single Great Dreams of Heaven; for further details on McNabb's solo career, please see the entry for Ian McNabb.
In 1992, a compilation called The Best of The Icicle Works was released, containing the best of their work from the Beggars Banquet years. Two years later, a live recording of a 1987 concert was issued.
On December 31, 2005, after having been a solo act for 15 years, McNabb announced he was reviving "The Icicle Works" name in 2006 for a series of concerts and an album. However, this version of the band would contain no original members other than McNabb.
Whisper To A Scream
The Icicle Works Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Burning with the hope of insight
Feathered, look they're covered with a bright elation
Stolen in the sight of love
CHORUS
We are we are we are
but your children
Finding our way around indecision
We are we are we are
Rather helpless
Take us forever
A whisper to a scream
Birds fly
In the eyes of the faithless daughter
Broken
At the bitter end
Wasted
Sacrificed for a new nirvana
Nighttime sends us on our way
CHORUS
We are we are we are
But your children
Finding our way around indecision
We are we are we are
Rather helpless
Take us forever
A whisper to a scream
A whisper to a scream
A whisper to a scream
A whisper to a scream
A whisper to a scream
repeat chorus to fade
The Icicle Works's song "Whisper To A Scream" speaks about the power of love and the hope that it brings. The lyrics suggest that love should flow like water, burning with the hope of insight. The singer speaks of being covered with a bright elation, suggesting that love brings joy and happiness. However, the sight of love can also be stolen or lost, suggesting that love can also bring pain and heartache.
The chorus of the song speaks to the struggles of indecision and helplessness that many people feel, especially when it comes to matters of love. The singer suggests that they are children, in need of guidance and direction, but also rather helpless without the support that love can bring. The line "take us forever" suggests a plea for love to be a constant in their lives, providing support and comfort.
The final verse speaks to the challenges of life, and the way that love can help to overcome them. The image of birds flying in the eyes of the faithless daughter suggests that hope can be found even in the darkest of times. The idea of being sacrificed for a new nirvana suggests that even in difficult times, there is the possibility of a brighter future. The final line, "nighttime sends us on our way," speaks to the idea that there will always be challenges, but love can help to guide us through.
Line by Line Meaning
Love come down upon us till you flow like water
May love be poured upon us so excessively that it seeps into every crevice of our being.
Burning with the hope of insight
Yearning for a greater comprehension and perception is like a burning passion.
Feathered, look they're covered with a bright elation
They appear to be adorned with feathers, metaphorically representing the light and joy that radiates from within them.
Stolen in the sight of love
Their happiness and joy is magnified by the presence of love, to the point where it is like a theft - overwhelming.
Birds fly in the eyes of the faithless daughter
For those who have lost faith, hope seems to be an illusion or a distant bird in flight.
Broken at the bitter end
At the end of struggles and hardships, they are left shattered and broken.
Wasted, sacrificed for a new nirvana
Their sacrifices may feel wasted, but they can lead to a new enlightenment or better future.
Nighttime sends us on our way
With the dark of night, we are propelled forward towards the unknown with only faith and hope as our guide.
We are we are we are but your children
Despite being grown and independent, we are still the children of a higher power or greater love.
Finding our way around indecision
We navigate life and its challenges, exploring our options and making choices despite feeling uncertain or doubtful.
Rather helpless
Despite our best efforts, we often feel powerless and unable to control our situation completely.
Take us forever
If possible, let us remain in a state of joy and love forever.
A whisper to a scream
From a gentle murmur to a deafening cry, our emotions and experiences can change drastically.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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