Musically, Icebreaker has all the hallmarks of a great melodic rock album, bordering on pomp. Not quite, only just.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Icebreaker
ALBUM: Eleco
LABEL: Erimark/Repo
SERIAL: ELEC0001-2
YEAR: 1997
CD INFO: Discogs Info List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Michael McBay – bass, vocals * Bobby Sexton – keyboards, vocals * Eric Red – vocals * Pekka Rintala – guitars * Mark Poland – drums
TRACK LISTING: 01 Nobody But U * 02 Waiting 4 Love * 03 Imaginary Lover * 04 Wild And Wicked * 05 Face In The Mirror * 06 Can’t Find My Way Home * 07 Never Surrender * 08 Promise Me * 09 Taking It To Ya * 10 Icebreaker
Background
This is a bit of a rarity. Ironic really because 1997 came and went in a blur and this ‘Icebreaker’ passed us by, unless it was on a traverse of the Antarctic and nobody knew about it! Perhaps the best known member of this outfit is ex Norman And Sexton keyboard whizz Bobby Sexton (the blonde one!).
Renowned for his space-age keyboard theatrics and totally OTT pomp approach, you just know this one is gonna blow Arcangel outta the water like the proverbial ‘icebreak…’ yeah, excuse the pun. The other plus factor with this lot is producer Erik Norlander (Mr Lana Lane to the rest of you).
The Songs
Musically, Icebreaker has all the hallmarks of a great melodic rock album, bordering on pomp. Not quite, only just. Imagine the guitar strut of Kiss or Voodoo X laced with pomp keyboards. In fact the opening pair of ‘Nobody But U’ and ‘Waiting 4 Love’ (even with the abbreviated titles) has the handle of Jean Beauvoir all over it.
It’s not until we get to track 3 ‘Imaginary Lover’ that female vocals kick in. Just who is the big mystery (is that you Lana?) because it’s not addressed in the liner note (unless Eric Red is supposed to be Erica? lol). However, the Ann Wilson (Heart) flavoured vox are excellent. This girl can sing.
Other excellent tracks are ‘Never Surrender’, the majestic affair of the female fronted ‘Promise Me’, and the absolutely surging keyboard drive of ‘Taking It To Ya’. The ballad ‘Can’t Find My Way Home’ is also good, though ‘Wild & Wicked’ is stereotypical LA hard rock, not particularly inspiring with a chorus that stalls on Rodeo Drive.
In Summary
All up, a very good release, the Erik Norlander connection ensures a quality production, while the appearance of Bobby Sexton is surely enough of an entrance fee for pomp lovers.
Icebreaker on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
