Squeeze - Argybargy (1980)

I'm a Squeeze fan and have been ever since I heard the soul-infused song Tempted back in the early '80s. After acquiring Sweets From A Stranger (1982) and East Side Story (1981), I went back into their catalog and picked up Cool For Cats (1979) but not this 1980 album. Go figure. Then when I was finally ready to pick it up on CD, it - like many albums on the A&M label - was already out-of-print, rare, and unavailable for many years. When I finally picked up a used copy, it was like Squeeze had just released a new CD for me. This is a fantastic New Wave/pop/rock/dance album and began the comparison of Squeeze songwriters Difford & Tilbrook to Lennon & McCartney. I'd have a difficult time picking a top Squeeze release, but Argybargy would definitely be in the conversation.

Press of the time:

• Stereo Review: "as musical satirists these guys are the Kink's children. And they're funnier."
• Smash Hits (9 out of 10): "Gets better with every play"
• Record World: "Radio should love this record."
• Billboard: "breezy, new wave influenced pop brew"
• Roadrunner: "there are some bloody good tunes on it!"
• Robert Christgau (B-): "'Tis said McCartneyesque tunefulness is the ticket here, but to me Tilbrook sounds more like Ray Davies"

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #71
• CashBox: #89
• Rolling Stone: #45

Tracks: Of the 11 tracks, the only two I don't particularly care for are I Think I'm Go Go and Here Comes That Feeling. Hidden Gems: Separate Beds and Farfisa Beat. The hits: Pulling Mussels (From the Shell), Another Nail in My Heart, and If I Didn't Love You.

Update November 11, 2023: in response to this blog post, I finally came up with a track ranking for these tracks:

1. If I Didn't Love You
2. Another Nail In My Heart
3. Pulling Mussels (From The Shell)
4. Farfisa Beat
5. There At The Top
6. Separate Beds
7. Wrong Side Of The Moon
8. Misadventure
9. Vicky Verky
10. I Think I'm Go Go
11. Here Comes That Feeling

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: In 2007, I found my copy of this CD in a used CD store. Because it was out of print and rare, I ended up paying a little more than I would have liked. So, of course, Argybargy was re-issued in 2008 as a two disc Deluxe Edition. If any of you want to get me something for my birthday or Christmas, this would be a welcome gift.