I am a 30 year old journalist and enjoy reviewing albums and bands and do this as part of my daily w...
I am a 30 year old journalist and enjoy reviewing albums and bands and do this as part of my daily work.
Member since:22.06.2008
Reviews:60
Members who trust:1
Before I start reviewing the album, I think some may need a re-cap of who exactly Squeeze are. As although they are mega famous and have been around for ages, not many people seem to know who they are!. So here follows things to note about these guys:
-Squeeze bridged the gap between British guitar pop and the post-punk movement in 1974 when they formed. -Taking influences from The Beatles and The Kinks, Squeeze became the spiritual home of songwriters Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook (who were dubbed the rightful musical next of kins to Lennon and McCartney). -Difford wrote the lyrics and the Tilbrook made the sweet music. -Difford and Tilbrook subtle songwriters that stuck to the rules of traditional pop songwriting techniqies, but fattened them up with killer lyrics. -Squeeze are a responsible for "Take Me I'm Yours" and "Up the Junction". -Squeeze also houses the legendary piano skills of Jools Holland but he left the band in late 1980 to form the Millionaires. -Difford and Tilbrook ended their time with squeeze in 1982 but not their collaboration as a strong songwriting duo. They went on to write for Paul Young, Billy Bremner and Jools Holland. - In 1985 the band reunited to do a charity gig, which made Difford, Tilbrook and Holland to permanently re-form.
Right now for the album; Frank, was released in 1989. It was an instant flop. During the supporting tour for Frank, their label A&M ditched Squeeze. Soon after Holland left the band to concentrate on his career in music and entertainment (for the BBC).
So for those that dont know, Frank is lyrically and musically like the lighter Elvis Costello and the attractions stuff mixed with some of the high points of the Beautiful south. Some of the high points of this album are songs like 'She doesnt have to shave' 'Franks Bag' and 'If It's Love' but the rest of the album is charming too.
Their songs might not be much in the way of a deviation from traditional british guitar pop but they do offer a lot in the way of catchy clever feel good songs that now do sound a bit 80s (and retro in a good way). If you are a fan of The Pretenders, Costello, Blondie, The Jam and Crowded House, then this band (and album) will really appeal to you.
Summary: Great band but not their greatest album.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
very helpful by (75%):
helpful by (25%):
![River Is Wide, The [Remastered] - Forum (The)](http://imagesb.ciao.com/iuk/images/products/small/251/prod_small-6006251.jpg)
