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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Don't let the cover fool you..., November 5, 2007
Like many Americans, I was introduced to Icehouse through their 1987 album Man of Colours and its big hit singles (Crazy and Electric Blue). It wasn't until recently that I first heard its predecessor, Measure for Measure, in its entirety, and what a pleasant surprise it was! For one thing, it's better than Man of Colours by a good stretch. And what is more, despite having some of the worst cover art in history, it is, musically, one of the best synth-rock albums of the 80s. The opening track, Paradise, builds slowly and beautifully, while the more familiar No Promises and Cross the Border stand the test of time. Some of the keyboard sounds on Measure for Measure even remind me of Rush's albums from the same era, particularly Power Windows. The biggest surprise for me was the majestic anthem The Flame, an anti-apartheid song in the vein of Peter Gabriel's Biko, Simple Minds' Mandela Day, and U2's Silver and Gold. This one outshines them all, especially the live version included as a bonus track.
Measure for Measure isn't a kitschy, campy 80s album (ok, Lucky Me and Baby, You're So Strange are a bit of both). Rather, it is representative of the best that decade had to offer. Brian Eno's presence (not as producer but as a full-fledged band member contributing keyboards and vocals) certainly contributes to this album's success. Around the time Measure for Measure was released, Eno was also working with Daniel Lanois producing U2's Joshua Tree. While his work with U2 will always receive more recognition, his collaboration with Iva Davies and Icehouse shouldn't be overlooked. It's a great album.
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6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Simply Classic, February 21, 2005
4 and a half is my real score
This one is a big 80s album, The Icehouse big-jump to the Rock (in a classic way, not post punk as the Flowers album).
With Measure For Measure, Iva Davies has reached a balanced pop-rock-synth album with very good songs.
The lyrics and the musical work are clear and effective, most of the songs show us the exceptional creativity of the group to fill many styles. The Mastering work is pretty good (with total respect to the original 80's release)
My pick-up songs (almost all): No promises, Paradise (of the best Icehouse's work), Angel Street (so Beautiful), The Flame (Powerful), Too Late Now (Subblime), Just a Word (Good New Wave-style Ballad) Regular Boys and Cross The Border (Booth good songs).
The half of the star empty is for Lucky in Me (the album 'filler') and Baby you're so strange (I Wonder why the boys selected this one as a single when any other song is better).
But that's all the complain, the rest of the songs are fine, the album worth the importation's price,and in global this is simply a good material from a good band.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Truly remarkable..., September 26, 2007
After completing Sidewalk Iva Davies couldn't go wrong. Measure for Measure was a turning point for Icehouse. 'No Promises' is truely a beautiful song and the key song on the album. Leave off 'Regular Boys' and 'Lucky Me' and this album would no doubt be as good as 'Man of Colours'. The Live version of 'No Promises' is just as good as the studio version. You'll feel like your right there in the crowd. Hurry up and get a copy of Measure for Measure..it won't be in print much longer. ***You'll really want a top notch stereo too truly experience this album***
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