Australia: positive and genuine

This and Great Southern Lands together seem to set their own slant on Australia - it's people and the land. This is rare. It is not pretentious. There's a flood of junk around that claims to be, and isn't, 'uniquely Australian' - this manages to be without beating itself up. It is a far more positive album than its pair, and almost all of the tracks are excellent. Icehouse receives far less recognition than it should for albums like this. Particularly noteworthy are "Jericho Bay" (11), "Charlie's Sky" (12), "Harbour Town" (2). Track 9, "Where the River meets the Sea", is absolutely incredible. This would easily top my desert island list.

Code Blue

I've been a fan of Icehouse for over ten years since Man of Colours appeared in the U.S. with singles "Electic Blue" and "Crazy." Code Blue is a lot like Icehouse's Great Southern Land and its as good as, if not better than Great Southern Land. The lyrics on Code Blue are meaningful without being sappy or sentimental. The music is danceable and doesn't all sound the same. This is a cd that I have never gotten tired of listening to or bored with. The best track is #9 "Where the River Meets the Sea." After that, #2 Harbour Town", #3 The Great Divide", #4 "Wind and Sail", #8 "Miracle Mile", #11 "Jericho Bay" and #12 "Charlie's Sky" are all incredible. This cd is definitely worth having as a part of any collection.

Something for everyone

Parts of "Wind and Sail" are reminiscent of "Man of Colours" (the track; not the album). Wind and Sail starts with quiet, dreamy vocals and an atmospheric celtic backdrop, and then picks up with the driving force of distorted electric guitars. Worth buying the album for "Wind and Sail" alone, in my opinion. The beginning of "The Great Divide" has great slide guitar, and some of the vocals are a little Doors-like. I've never understood why Icehouse are still so unrecognised in the music biz. This album proves that they can stand up there with the best of them. The whole album has more than its fair share of the kind of rhythms and melodies that make you want to either suddenly jump up and dance like a crazy person, or play air-guitar in your lounge. There really is something here for everyone.