Squeeze – Sweets from a Stranger
Producer: Squeeze, Paul McDonald
Singles: “Black Coffee in Bed,” “When the Hangover Strikes,” “I’ve Returned”
Original release date: May 1982
Remaster release: 1995
Label: A&M
CD catalog#: 75021 3254 2 (’95 remaster)
The Skinny
Squeeze’s fifth release, and the last album in what could reasonably be considered the band’s classic period. Another great collection of Chris Difford & Glen Tilbrook tunes that mixes New Wave and white-boy British soul.
Sounds like
Elvis Costello & the Attractions, Crowded House, Rockpile, The Style Council, XTC, Joe Jackson, Nick Lowe
Deeper Thoughts
Like many folks my age, I got up on the Squeeze box with “Tempted,” which was released the year before (1981). Sweets is mature pop music from a group, and a songwriting duo, that continued to refine their sound and style. This record is less frenetic than their first releases, but retains all the lyrical charm you expect from these guys. This is a more soulful set, that features a soul/blues ballad, “When the Hangover Strikes,” released as a single. “Black Coffee in Bed” is the chart hit here (and the stupidest fucking video), but all the album cuts deliver tons of Strat groove and keyboard color with a Stax-inspired soul vibe.
The Sonics
I had the early Squeeze stuff on first-generation A&M CDs, which sounded like absolute shit. A&M finally remastered Sweets for CD in 1995, and it’s a significant improvement. The bass & kick are tighter and thumpier than the early discs, and the cymbals and other high frequency elements are crisp and much less brittle. Having said that, the ’95 remaster still isn’t as rich and full-bodied as I’d like. A good streaming version will be just as satisfying. In any case, I’m sure subsequent remasters further refined this gem, and it’s a great disc to have in your collection.
Personnel
Chris Difford – rhythm guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals on “His House Her Home”
Glenn Tilbrook – lead guitar, keyboards, lead & backing vocals
John Bentley – bass, backing vocals
Don Snow – keyboards, backing vocals
Gilson Lavis – drums
special guests, including Elvis Costello and Paul Young
Track list
“Out of Touch”
“I Can’t Hold On”
“Points of View”
“Stranger Than the Stranger on the Shore”
“Onto the Dance Floor”
“When the Hangover Strikes”
“Black Coffee in Bed”
“I’ve Returned”
“Tongue Like a Knife”
“His House Her Home”
“The Very First Dance”
“The Elephant Ride”
Check out more classic discs:
