Burning The Ground Exclusive
NEW 2025 Transfer
NEW Meticulous Audio restoration
Original post date: August 28, 2011
In 1986, Australian synth-rockers Icehouse—led by the enigmatic Iva Davies—were continuing their push into international territory with the album Measure for Measure. Known for their sleek, moody blend of synth-pop and new wave, Icehouse struck a particularly sharp chord with the track “Cross The Border”, a politically tinged song reworked and remixed specifically for U.S. audiences as “Cross The Border (Steel Love).”
Released on a rare U.S. 12″, this version features three exclusive remixes that never appeared on commercial singles or retail releases—making it a must-have for collectors and remix enthusiasts alike.
🔥 A Steel-Edged Makeover
The standout here is the Dance Mix—a 6:33 reimagining that brings the track into club territory with an extended intro, added percussion, and more space between the instrumentation. While the original album version is sleek and dramatic, this mix ups the tempo and emphasizes the track’s rhythmic foundation—perfect for mid-’80s dance floors and underground new wave clubs.
Also included is a Dub Version, clocking in at 5:41. This remix strips away most of the vocals and rides the instrumental elements, highlighting the track’s haunting synth lines and atmospheric guitar work. It’s a darker, moodier version that plays like a lost remix from an early Bill Laswell session.
The Single Version rounds out the set—a slightly edited form tailored for radio, with all the hooks intact and just enough polish to slide into a late-night rotation next to the likes of Simple Minds, The Fixx, or Peter Gabriel.
While “Cross The Border” never became a major chart hit, this U.S. 12″ reveals how labels were willing to repackage and remix deeper album cuts for a chance at radio or club crossover. The subtitle “Steel Love” gives the song a harder, more industrial flavor, and the remixes here only reinforce that steel-edged aesthetic.
As with many Icehouse tracks from this era, there’s a cinematic quality to the production—thanks in part to David Lord, who co-produced Measure for Measure and brought his atmospheric touch (having worked with Peter Gabriel and XTC). “Cross The Border” might not be one of Icehouse’s better-known singles, but in remix form, it becomes a totally new experience—one that fits right in with the darker, dancefloor-oriented direction many bands explored in the mid-’80s.
SIDE A:
Cross The Border (Steel Love) (Dance Mix) 6:33
SIDE B:
Cross The Border (Steel Love) (Dub Version) 6:09
Cross The Border (Steel Love) (Single Version) 4:19
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Cross The Border (Steel Love) | U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks | #19 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Chrysalis – 4V9 43062
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Stereo, Pitman Pressing
Country: US
Released: 1986
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: Leftfield, Pop Rock, Synth-pop
CREDITS:
- Lacquer Cut By [Runout Etch ✩] – Greg Calbi
- Producer – Rhett Davies
- Remix – Michael Brauer*
- Written-By – I. Davies*, B. Kretschmer*
NOTES:
Original version on the LP “Measure for Measure” #BFV 41527.
Remixed for MHB Productions.
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
Password: burningtheground
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