Putting the Squeeze on Radio City
Eric Shapiro - posted on NY Press 7-14-2010
When it comes to rock ‘n’ roll history, it’s impossible to tell which bands will be remembered. While Squeeze hasn’t exactly been forgotten, the band doesn't have the same recognition in the U.S. as other New Wave bands. Take, for example, the co-headliners of their summer tour, Cheap Trick, whose set last night I only caught the end of. Squeeze lyricist/guitarist Chris Difford and singer/composer/guitarist Glenn Tilbrook were hailed as the next Lennon and McCartney, but like other songwriting teams who were so praised, their commercial success never matched their critical acclaim. After watching them play yesterday, it’s both easy and difficult to see why.
On the one hand, the duo’s stunning harmonies and melodies, still perfectly intact after all these decades, are the stuff of pop genius and likely account for the band’s string of hits. “Tempted” (the 80s anthem that even folks who never heard of Squeeze can sing along to), “Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)”, “Up the Junction,” and “Cool for Cats” got the crowd on their feet, singing along and dancing in the way that you would expect nostalgic middle-aged fans to dance.
On the other hand, some of their more cerebral, jazzy fare didn’t come off quite as well in a live setting. Next to Cheap Trick, Squeeze came across as reserved, performing in an austere, polite British manner with the exception of the keyboardist whose frenzied gyrations contrasted with his band mates.
The strength of Squeeze’s musicianship and songwriting shined through in spite of the cavernous setting of Radio City, which tended to dilute some of the harder-hitting riffs. It is easy to see why Squeeze has been compared to classic 60s pop acts like The Kinks and The Beatles; the group has mastered the melodic pop song better than most modern bands can claim, but also has an unmistakable personality all its own.
Squeeze’s influence is apparent in Britpop and indie rock; it is no mere coincidence that Shins singer James Mercer recently covered one of the band's songs. If you have the chance to see Squeeze live as it continues to tour with Cheap Trick this summer, you’ll see why.
When it comes to rock ‘n’ roll history, it’s impossible to tell which bands will be remembered. While Squeeze hasn’t exactly been forgotten, the band doesn't have the same recognition in the U.S. as other New Wave bands. Take, for example, the co-headliners of their summer tour, Cheap Trick, whose set last night I only caught the end of. Squeeze lyricist/guitarist Chris Difford and singer/composer/guitarist Glenn Tilbrook were hailed as the next Lennon and McCartney, but like other songwriting teams who were so praised, their commercial success never matched their critical acclaim. After watching them play yesterday, it’s both easy and difficult to see why.
On the one hand, the duo’s stunning harmonies and melodies, still perfectly intact after all these decades, are the stuff of pop genius and likely account for the band’s string of hits. “Tempted” (the 80s anthem that even folks who never heard of Squeeze can sing along to), “Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)”, “Up the Junction,” and “Cool for Cats” got the crowd on their feet, singing along and dancing in the way that you would expect nostalgic middle-aged fans to dance.
On the other hand, some of their more cerebral, jazzy fare didn’t come off quite as well in a live setting. Next to Cheap Trick, Squeeze came across as reserved, performing in an austere, polite British manner with the exception of the keyboardist whose frenzied gyrations contrasted with his band mates.
The strength of Squeeze’s musicianship and songwriting shined through in spite of the cavernous setting of Radio City, which tended to dilute some of the harder-hitting riffs. It is easy to see why Squeeze has been compared to classic 60s pop acts like The Kinks and The Beatles; the group has mastered the melodic pop song better than most modern bands can claim, but also has an unmistakable personality all its own.
Squeeze’s influence is apparent in Britpop and indie rock; it is no mere coincidence that Shins singer James Mercer recently covered one of the band's songs. If you have the chance to see Squeeze live as it continues to tour with Cheap Trick this summer, you’ll see why.