Code Blue
As David Lord was unfortunately unavailable, Code Blue was instead produced by Nick Launay (Midnight Oil, INXS, Living End), who had at the time worked with Jenny Morris and David Byrne. This and the badly timed Great Southern Land compilation may well have been the nail in the coffin. The year 1990 proved to be a difficult time for rock bands, as the dance movement which ultimately became modern pop pulled the rug from under Icehouse, INXS, and U2 -- though the latter groups were quick to move in the remixers. The departure of Robert Kretschmer meant Davies had to get used to lead guitar and writing again. There are many reasons why Code Blue wasn't the album fans envisaged. Code Blue lent heavily toward Pink Floyd ("Wind & Sail," "Charlie's Sky") and the kind of music heard on Baywatch ("Harbour Town," "River Meets the Sea"). Some interesting studio wizardry couldn't halt a major disappointment save Miss Divine and Jericho Bay.