Squeeze - Ridiculous

2007 digitally remastered edition of one of the great lost gems in the Squeeze discography. The band achieved chart success with "Electric Trains" (and it's controversial subject matter), "This Summer" and "Heaven Knows" and should have had it as well with the trip-hoppy "Fingertips", "Daphne" (the title tune) and the rockin' "The Great Escape". But the true diamond of this set is the haunting "Temptation For Love", beautifully recorded with singer/songwriter Cathy Dennis. The original album tracks are augmented with the previously unreleased "This Road", the punchier single remix of "This Summer", an earlier version of what became "Fingertips" called "Cappuccino Lips" and acoustic versions of "Electric Trains", "I Want You" and the tongue-in-cheek toe-tapper "Grouch Of The Day". Universal. Album Description

Heaven Knows

I originally heard the song "Heaven Knows" in the movie "Hackers". At the time I didn't even know the title of the song or the artist. After some research I found it to be Squeeze. I really haven't listened to the other songs because I like this one so much. This particular song reminds me of how I feel about the man in my life and I couldn't wait to share it with him. I suppose it's one of those songs that most men refer to as "girly music", I guess that's why I like it so much. November 22, 2001

Below par effort

I suppose this really hovers below 3 stars. There is an air of lethargy about this album that really never lifts, with "Electric Trains" and the excellent "This Summer", really being the only saving graces on a listless album. Fortunately, it was followed by the far superior "Domino". November 15, 2001

NO FANTASTIC PLACE

I too had hoped these tunes would grow on me being a life-long Squeeze fan but they just seem bland an uninteresting. This like any Squeeze effort has a few moments. The nostalgic "Electric Trains" is very touching and reminds me of the Squeeze of the "Argybargy" period. "Daphne" also is a great song, somewhat reminiscent musically of XTC's "Dear God". Then there is "This Summer" which is a great slice of pop heaven. Other than that, filler and three good songs do not a classic make. September 6, 2001

It Doesn't Sound like Nana Mouskouri...

Ridiculous was largely overlooked by record buyers in 1995 and 1996--Squeeze were no longer fashionable in the brave new world of the late 90's. This was unfortunate because this album is one of the best things Squeeze has ever done. The trademark sublime pop of early Squeeze remains but Tilbrook and Difford have added a degree of depth to their lyrics that didn't necessarilly come through in earlier efforts. Perhaps aging does have an upside. Highly recommended. April 24, 2001

A Major Disappointment

My rating is really 2 1/2 stars. There are some good songs here, but not really enough for 3, especially considering this album clocks in at 55+ minutes.

Coming on the heels of the excellent Some Fantastic Place, Ridiculous is a major disappointment. Lots of bland mid-tempo numbers that sound like Difford & Tilbrook are sleepwalking. I waited a few weeks and many listens to write a review because I was hoping some subtle gems would reveal themselves (as on the vastly underrated Play album), but most of these songs continue to unimpress me.

Surprisingly, the biggest offenders are the songs which prominently feature Chris Difford's vocals. Usually, Difford sung ditties appear as rare and entertaining treats in the Squeeze catalog. There are a whopping 4 of them on Ridiculous and all are substandard. In addition, Keith Wilkinson, who came up aces on Some Fantastic Place with "True Colors", can only muster the dull "Got To Me" this time around.

"Electric Trains" is the catchiest song here, but it is somewhat sabotaged by trite and pandering lyrics. "This Summer", "Daphne", and "Great Escape" are all very good, and perhaps "Sound Asleep" qualifies. So Ridiculous is still a worthwhile pickup for fans, but certainly not one of Difford & Tilbrook's better efforts. April 24, 2001

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