Ian McNabb | Artist

Robert Ian McNabb is an English singer-songwriter and musician born 1960 in Liverpool, UK. Previously the frontman of The Icicle Works, McNabb has since embarked on a solo career and performed with Ringo Starr, Neil Young/Crazy Horse, Mike Scott, and Danny Thompson of folk band Pentangle. The neo-psych band Icicle works released five studio albums featuring McNabb on vocals, guitar and keyboards, plus he was the primary songwriter. That band dissolved in 1990 and, after a short stint with The Wild Swans, McNabb focussed on his solo performing and recording career. His style is mostly up-beat, sometimes nostalgic, hook laden melodic pop-rock laced with clever lyrics. Upon reviewing one of his albums, John Peel commented "ever since the early days of The Icicle Works, McNabb has constantly managed to maintain a high level of musical brilliance which I've found impossible to ignore.. McNabb has the ability to populate his songs with fully developed characters and infuse his lyrics with a blend of humour, homily and melancholic reflection." To-date he has released 16 studio albums and several live albums, standouts include Head Like a Rock, Merseybeast, Before All of This, Star Smile Strong and Our Future in Space. Despite the consistent high quality of his work, fame and fortune continue to elude him. His most successful album Head Like a Rock (1994) was nominated for the 1994 Mercury Prize and peaked at No. 29 in the UK Album Chart.

Artist Website: ianmcnabb.com

Featured Albums: Ian McNabb

Related Artists: The Icicle Works

Video Clips: Cameraderie, No Hero To Me, Throw The Rest Away