ALBUMS: Argybargy ( 1980); East Side Story ( 1981); Squeeze Singles (1982).
MVC Rating: 4.0/$$$; East 4.0/$$$; Singles 4.0/$$$
I found Argybargy in the cut-out bin in Auburn in about 1980. I remember this for some reason because I was debating whether I should plunk down $2 for this band I only knew from a small write-up in Rolling Stone.
I was a struggling college student for goodness sake. I sold my blood plasma for record money ($15 but you could only do it twice a month, I believe.) So it stands to reason. I didn’t want to spend this blood money on just any record.
Turns out it was a good buy and led me later to buy two other Squeeze albums. The band filled a gap between punk music and softer indie/alternative that was coming out late 1970s and early 80s. Think Elvis Costello or the Housemartins. It was intelligent music with smart lyrics and Beatlesque harmonies.
In fact two members of the band who did most of the writing — Difford and Tillbrook — were likened to McCartney and Lennon, a comparison that was flattering but also a big balloon of expectations on the verge of over-inflation.
Of the three albums I have, I’d have to recommend as a first purchase, Argybargy, for sentimental reasons and it is good. They had several low level hits, ‘Tempted,’ ‘Pulling Mussels from a Shell,’ and If I Didn’t Love You.’
Lyric sample from ‘Mussels: ‘But behind the chalet, a holiday’s complete and I feel like William Tell … pulling mussels from a shell.’
I didn’t say I knew what the lyrics meant.