Been listening to "The Garden" again recently and can't believe how much the title track sounds like the song "Icehouse" by Icehouse (been listening to that too).

Is it just coincidence, or was JF inspired by "Icehouse" or the other way round?

I kind of agree, it's even more similar on the extended version. Both very atmospheric. They might of used the same synths...polymoogs anyone?

I'm afraid I don't know Icehouse...

Not quite Polymoogs - Prophet Fives!

”The most surprising addition to the score, however, was produced by a piece of quite old technology. Early in the period of submissions of music I used a software emulation of the very first polyphonic synthesiser, the Prophet 5.......
.....Although I was using a software replica of the old synthesiser I do, in fact, have an original one of these. It is by now roughly 23 years old. This, in fact, is the very same machine which Flowers/Icehouse used as it's main keyboard. The song "Icehouse" itself was performed using it and it is the only synthesiser used on "Primitive Man". (You may recognize that opening note on "Great Southern Land" as a 'Prophet 5' moment!).”
(from http://www.icehouse-iva.com)

Amazing that Icehouse are still going - thought they vanished sometime in the mid-80s....

Tha´s lack o´ knowledge, tha´ is!

If you like JF you´ll like ´em, too!
Especially songs like icehouse and trojan blue! My favourite is great southern land.

Icehouse are ace.

If you saw Master and Commander, that's Iva Davies doing the score...

Never heard much Icehouse, but I always had the sense that they were yet another band that started with a new wave/electronic sound and then dumped it for a more mainstream commercial pop sound in the mid-80s. Am I woefully mistaken?

Not really, but is that really so bad? So do make that transition successfully, unlike our fab four/three....

Must admit, although I do see some similarities, The Garden is BY FAR a more superior piece of work - Icehouse doesn't send shivers down my spine. However, isn't it the same as saying that The Garden sounds like bits of Tubular Bells -that riff has been around in some shape or form for years. (expecting backlash)
Cheers

Have to profess my lack of knowledge about Icehouse. I remember Hey Little Girl which reminded me of early '80s Roxy Music.I know Iva Davies was/is? is the lead singer and they're Australian but that's the extent of my knowledge. I will have to investigate further.That is once I've bought all those other albums by other artists that I keep meaning to buy at some point ! Andy

I can't believe the number of uvox fans that haven't yet checked out Icehouse!

In my books they are up there with Ultravox, John Foxx, and Depeche Mode.

Best albums are their first 3 - Icehouse (when they were known as Flowers), Primitive Man, and Sidewalk. Best songs are Don't Believe Anymore and No Promises. Man of Colours and Code Blue are more commercial sounding albums but still excellent. Also really worth checking out is their covers album variously known as The Berlin Tapes or Heroes. They do have one or two "duds" ala the pink album and Uvox.

You are really missing out if you're into Uvox style of music and don't listen to Icehouse!

Like Billy Currie, Iva Davies is a classically trained musician (in oboe and piano).

Cheers,

Paul

I'm intrigued.

My copy should be arriving next week. BTW Primitive Man is a must in any Synth/New Romantic fan's collection.

Chris C
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Yeah! I like the track. There are some similarities, the use of the same synth as mentioned previously. However, it's a different song to The Garden.

I had listened to Flowers before but couldn't remember when. Another great track is I Can't Help Myself. Curious enough are the last 2 tracks of the original album All the Way and Paradise Lost (instrumental) , they form the bridge with Primitive Man their masterpiece.

All in all an entertaining album!

Chris C