Sidewalk is
Icehouse's least-effective album, mainly because of a stagnant array of narrowly synthesized pop songs which lack the warmth, melody, or perkiness that can be found in later efforts. The hooks are few and far between, and while their sultry keyboard recipe falls into the same category as that of the Human League, Ultravox, or Visage, Sidewalk fails to exemplify the same synth pop froth or colorfulness that these bands utilized in gaining chart success. Without the techno-pop radiance or keyboard-laden bite found on their next two albums -- 1986's Measure for Measure and 1987's Man of Colours -- Sidewalk is towed along somewhat lethargically by dimly lit lyrics and tiresome instrumental digressions. Even the earlier albums had
Iva Davies sounding a little more enthused, especially 1982's Primitive Man. Sidewalk can easily be left behind without its greatest asset, "Taking the Town" even being missed. ~ Mike DeGagne