Squeeze Argybargy CD

By 1980, after releasing three albums in three years, Squeeze had exhibited everything you'd want to see in a promising band. ARGY BARGY exceeds its predecessor, COOL FOR CATS, just as CATS had exceeded their debut. Everything on this record is in place. The clever and catchy songs of Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford had found their full flower and the band's embellishments and propulsion had grown by confident leaps and bounds.

In short, the band finds a clear and distinct voice on ARGY BARGY. Opening with the one-two punch of "Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)" and "Another Nail In My Heart," this album keeps up an exuberant pace, but never runs out of breath. Their use of dynamics also helps to bring out the obvious strengths of the songs. This album is an essential pop statement, full of verve, invention, humor and surprise.

2008 digitally remastered deluxe edition of one of the many diamonds in the Squeeze discography. The band's third studio album was originally released in 1980 to overwhelming critical and fan acclaim. The album includes many Difford/Tilbrook standards, like "Pulling Mussels (From The Shell)", "If I Didn't Love You", "I Think I'm Go-Go" and "Another Nail In My Heart". This edition adds the bonus tracks "Funny How It Goes" and "Go" (both of which appeared on an earlier remaster) along with the single b-sides "What The Butler Saw", "Someone Else's Heart" and "Pretty One" plus "Going Crazy", "Library Girl", an alt take of "Farfisa Beat" and a demo of "If I Didn't Love You". The true bonus of this set is Disc Two, which includes the rare 'Argy-Bargy' radio commercial along with a full live set of 19 songs recorded at The Hammersmith Odeon on March 9th, 1980 featuring the band in their prime! Universal.

All tracks have been digitally remastered.

Squeeze: Chris Difford, Glenn Tilbrook (vocals, guitar); Julian "Jools" Holland (vocals, keyboards); John Bentley (bass); Gilson Lavis (drums).

CMJ (1/5/04, p.6) - Ranked #7 in CMJ's "Top 20 Most-Played Albums of 1980".
Mojo (Publisher) (p.123) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "Such bittersweet, RUBBER SOUL-ful plays-for-today as 'Pulling Mussels (From The Shell),' 'Another Nail In My Heart,' the underrated 'Farfisa Beat' and 'Vicky Verky' repay close attention."
Record Collector (magazine) (p.95) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "Difford's lyrics were stronger and more elaborate than before, especially his use of metaphor on the singles 'Another Nail In My Heart' and 'Pulling Mussels From The Shell.'"