Search - Squeeze :: Argy Bargy

Tragically, their best ever

paul owen | leicester, leicestershire United Kingdom | 09/18/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is a tragedy, that because of this cd's rarity, the few copies for sale cost megabucks, whereas the more commercially successful 'East Side Story' is readily available for a reasonable price.The debut album - often referred to in the U.S as 'UK Squeeze' was a forgetable album, save for 'Take Me I'm Yours'- their Break-through single in the UK. Cool For Cats showed what Squeeze were capable of, though often with clumsy schoolboy lyrics.Argybargy came out in 1980, and by now Chris Difford's lyrics
had matured to complement Glenn Tilbrook's effortless talent for writing killer melodies and interesting chord progressions. On top of uncomplicated and clever music, Difford explored teenage relationships in 'Pulling Mussles from a Shell', 'Seperate Beds' and the stand-out 'Vicky Verky', while 'Another Nail in my Heart' was another drunks hard luck story - a theme that was to become his stock-in-trade for the rest of Squeeze's career. The band were never to sound so up-beat and positive as Argybargy. East Side Story is more musically challenging, but is too dominated and disjointed by Elvis Costello's overzealous producing. The 'new Lennon and McCartney' tag seemed too much for Glen Tilbrook in particular, and the lightwieght follow up
'Sweets from a Stranger' signalled his temporary abandonment
of Squeeze, and their commercial momentum was lost. If anyone was to own just one Squeeze album, Agrybargy should be it- but alas its rarity will hide this polished gem until the powers that be see fit to re-issue the Squeeze master-workPaul Owen"

Argy Bargy Best Album

Elizabeth Cummins | New York, NY USA | 10/23/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If there could be a soundtrack of ones life, Argy Bargy would be mine, with Pulling Musssels as the theme song.As a New York teenager in the late 70's early 80's, it is the music that most typifies the times.There is not one bad song on the album(I am dating myself, aren't I), and since I know I have played it at least 250 times, it never grows tiresome. Chris Difford and Glen Tilbrook even sound great without Squeeze,but Squeeze is incredible! Highly recommend this to anyone, if you are first time Squeeze, this should be your first purchase, followed by East Side Story. Each song will remind you of some significant event in your life. It would be compared to buying REM Green as your first intro to REM, or Through a Glass Darkly as a stones intro."

It's all good!

Jennifer Fouhy | Corvallis, OR | 04/08/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The music is wonderful here! You have to hear this. Some of the best power pop of all time! The best known tracks are "Pulling Mussels From a Shell" and "Another Nail For My Heart". That is only the start, there are several album tracks that are awesome, "Separate Beds" has clever lyrics and witty observations. "Misadventure" has a unforgetable beat. It is the highlight of the album in my opinion. A song I did not like at first listen, but then grew on me until it became essential was "I think I'm a Go-Go", a look at life in Holland, UK, and USA in a three verse song. Jools scores with "Wrong Side of the Moon" maybe his best song he sang for Squeeze with the exception of "Dr. Jazz" from the "Frank" album. But that is not the end of the great songs,"There at the Top" and "If I didn't love You" are also wonderful tracks. This album is very strong from top to bottom, only "East Side Story" compares in overall consistently strong music. This is a truly great album. Very enjoyable!"