Continuing down the road with Icehouse, we meet them at their third studio album, Sidewalk. Unlike their prior release, 1982's Primitive Man. Prior to recording the album, keyboardist, Michael Hoste would leave the group, being replaced by Andy Qunta. Unlike its predecessors, which depending on what region you were in would determine what track listing you got, Sidewalk was the same from country to country.
Though the album would fair well on the National Charts, reaching number eight, overall, it would be a lower selling record than prior releases, only reaching gold in New Zealand. Though it would be a decline which the band would stay in for their follow-up, 1986's Measure For Measure, a major success was still on the horizon.
Before we get there, we pause for today's Retro Spin, and give Sidewalk a twirl on ye old CD spindle.
Right off the bat, the opening track, Taking the Town, isn't strong enough to really garner much of my attention. While this would fortunate shift with the next four, This Time, Someone Like You, Stay Close Tonight, and Don't Believe Anymore, this momentum wouldn't last beyond that point.
Something about Sidewalk simply wasn't resonating with me as much as their prior work, and while I think this came down to something very specific for me. Between lead singer, Iva Davies making their albums solo projects, such as 1982's Primitive Man, and lineup changes, the inconsistencies surrounding the group meant that, in my opinion, they never really landed on their own sound.
Overall, Sidewalk sounds and feels like a different band, and while it's not terrible, its inconsistent from prior material. Whereas prior releases had a steady mixture of synth and guitar work, this record leans heavey into synth, all but abandonging any lead guitars.
By the end of it, nothing was memorable. There were no songs that had that lasting effect. In fact, I don't think I could even hum a single bar from the entire thing. Eh...It's just forgettable, which is disappointing.
Prior to setting to work on their next studio release, Davies would first compose the soundtrack for the 1985 film, Boxes, but will skip that, and move right into 1986's Measure For Measure next week.
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| THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS May 13, 1989 |
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