Ice - 'The Ice Age' RidingEasy Records Release: 7 August 2020

It’s not often you get a brand new release to review....and find out that it's half a century old! Indianapolis quintet Ice began recording the album in 1969 and the project was completed in 1970 - but sadly they split up and it was ever released. However, the recordings are finally coming out of cold storage (forgive the pun) thanks to RidingEasy Records.

And it was a stroke of luck that's let to the release. Back in 1972, two of the tracks, 'Running High' and 'Catch You' were released as a test market single, oddly under a different band name - Zukus . A DJ happened to be playing the record just last year in a Los Angeles club when Daniel Hall, the owner of RidingEasy Records, was visiting. He was interested in releasing the track - it was eventually included on the compilation 'Brown Acid: The Ninth Trip' - but on contacting rhythm guitarist Rich Strange, he discovered a full album's worth of tracks had been recorded.

And a fantastic find it was too! It's a great piece of late 60s, early 70s rock which makes you wonder why they broke up. Some of the tracks wouldn't sound at all out of place on rock radio today alongside other artist of that era - the likes of Cream, The Move, Badfinger, The Doors or The Who. There are some lovely hooks and melodies throughout.

First up is 'Gypsy' with ascending and descending riffs which bring the Byrds to mind due to the 12-string Rickenbacker sound. It's laden with percussion too and all over in around two and a half minutes. 'Satisfy’ is similarly short and has a real swagger.

The next track '3 O’Clock In The Morning' reminds me a bit of Jellyfish - which is, of course, an odd thing to say given that they came along about 20 years later! Some simple but very effective guitar forms the haunting chorus and there's a tasteful solo here too. 'Copper Penny' opens up with some explosive organ, which features heavily throughout, and it has a great quirky mid section. You may have come across this track if you've ever seen the 'The Angry Baker' on Amazon Prime.

'Catch You' lulls you into thinking the pace will be slowed, but quickly settles into a a very catchy mid-tempo break up song with lovely melodies and a fantastic harpsichord solo. Keys feature heavily in this track and the sound is swapped for a Wurlitzer electric piano for a closing solo. This again brings Jellyfish to mind and it's psychedelic pop at it's best. How this track slipped through the cracks is tragic - it would surely have been a sure fire hit.

The drums set the groove for 'Running High' before a great riff kicks in, combining wonderfully with the keyboards. One of the heavier tracks, this is another which should have helped the band make the break through. A fab slice of trippy rock.

'I Can See Me Flying' is another fine example of pop rock with a riff reminiscent of Badfinger's 'No Matter What'. 'Run To Me' has some great Nugentesque guitar riffing before easing up for a more laid back chorus. I love the ringing tones of the toms on this track.

The final two tracks 'He Rides Among The Clouds', the album's longest track at over six minutes, and closer 'Song Of The East', a somewhat proggy instrumental, perhaps go in a different - less commercial direction but are interesting nonetheless.

How cool would it be (sorry again) if the album's release and fresh interest led Ice to get back together - I love a happy ending.

'The Ice Age' will be available on LP, CD and download via RidingEasy Records.