ICU - 1995 - Now And Here [30th Anniversary Edition]

(61:45; Weltenblau)

Track list:
: One Life
1. The Spirit Of Nature 6:49
2. The Spirit Of Man 1:40
3. Magic Eyes 4:49

4. Another Life 11:43
5. The Same Old Way 5:26

: Two Steps Ahead Of Time
6. F.M. 1916 1:27
7. Dolphin's Ride 5:25

8. A Pair Of Hands 6:15

: Challenge Of The Unknown
9. In The Dark 6:01
10. Greater Unknown 2:14
11. Now And Here 3:02

12. In Every Stranger's Eyes 6:54


Line-up:
Eva-Maria Baumann - flute, vocals
Hartwig Dieterich - bass
Thomas Glönkler - guitars
Ralf Grossmann - vocals, guitars
Steffen Herrmann - keyboards
Joachim Lauber - drums


Prolusion.
German band ICU was formed back in 1989, and until the band disbanded in 1997 they released three studio albums. Their arguably most renowned album was their second one, "Now and Here", which dates back to 1995. In the second half of 2025 this album was given an anniversary reissue through German label Weltenblau.

Analysis.
In the liner notes of the album, it is described that there was a disagreement within the band about whether or not the original mix represented the music in the best manner, and that the released original version of this production was given a more hastily applied revised mix. A mix that the band members later on felt didn't represent the material they had recorded in the best way possible. The original mix was lost however, so there was little that could be done. In 2024 this original mix was rediscovered, and following a revision and remastering this is the version of the album that appears on this 30th Anniversary Edition.

This album isn't a lost masterpiece from the realms of the German progressive rock universe though. But rather than being a lesser known diamond this is a really solid piece of work, with some subtle quaint details added to a sound universe many progressive rock fans know, appreciate and treasure. Neo-progressive rock is the game here, and it is the sounds, moods and atmospheres from the initial phase of this tradition that is explored here.

Floating keyboard motifs and flowing, elegant guitar solo runs and overlays are defining features here. Soft and elegant maneuvers with some dramatic peaks and occasional sharper edges. With lead vocals that are melodic, calm and with a little bit of a talk like delivery. Explored and delivered in a manner that will appeal to many of those who swear that Fish-era Marillion represents some of the best phases in progressive rock history.

In many ways I'd say that this is a production that moves back and forth between the different phases Marillion had while Fish was their lead vocalist. Often with a sound, mood and atmosphere that would be a perfect fit for Marillion of old, in other cases with some influx of elements that arguably is a bit closer to the kind of creations a band like Camel used to make with soft, dreamladen and subtly otherworldly moods and atmospheres. Cue also some neat and elegant flute motifs in some of the compositions.

The slightly accented vocals and some of the bass lines does expand the boundaries with what I'd describe as a little bit of an Eloy flavored undercurrent though, and on some of the songs ICU does add a little bit of a rougher tendency and a subtly hard rock oriented expansion to these excursions. But never to the point of leaving the classic era neo-progressive rock universe behind, but rather as slight and subtle additions to this tradition in general and the classic era variety of it in particular.

It should be noted that while the physical edition of this anniversary edition comes with this revised and remastered version of the album as it was originally planned to appear back in 1995, there are a whole lot of digital goodies that come with this production too. With a download code that gives you two live concerts, the 1995 version of the album as well as various individual,live takes, demos and other rarities. More than four hours of additional recordings, plus some video footage. All of which obviously will be a treat for old and new fans alike.

Conclusion.
For existing fans of this band, as well as for those who discover this band through this album and who find that this is music to their liking, this will obviously be a production they will place in the superb category. For my sake I find this album to be a truly solid one, where the songs are well made, with compelling developments and appealing sounds, moods and atmospheres throughout. And a production I can safely recommend to just about anyone who has the opinion that Marillion were at their best when Fish was their lead vocalist.

Olav "Progmessor" Björnsen, December 2025

Links:
https://www.weltenblau.de/