SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: SQUEEZE – TRIXIES

SQUEEZE
TRIXIES
BMG

Since Squeeze burst onto the scene in 1978 with their self-titled debut album, they have continually kept fans, critics, and listeners guessing as to what they will do next. Trixies is an album that I don’t think anyone saw coming. The story of the album is as fascinating as the music found in the sleeve. Trixies was written when Glenn Tilbrook was 16 and Chris Difford was 19. In fact, it was the first project the two wrote together, and it was quite ambitious. Trixies is a concept album, boarding rock opera, which was popular in 1974, which is when they wrote the songs. But for various reasons, the album stayed in the drawer…until now.

Trixies, Squeeze’s 17th studio album, and their first since 2017’s brilliant The Knowledge has been worth the wait. It is hard to believe that these songs were written over 50 years ago, as they sound as current today as they did when they were written. The band gets to rock out with songs, such as “Don’t Go Out In The Dark,” which has a wonderful uneasy feeling, complete with fine organ playing centering the song. “Why Don’t You” has a similar hard edge to it, and it is great to hear Squeeze in this manner. Tilbrook’s vocals are still very melodic and sweet, but the rest of the song is hard rock. Difford’s voice is equally brilliant, and both are incredible musicians that have grown and developed over the years.

Trixies is an imaginary club, and the songs represent different people and stories. This allows Difford and Tilbrook to assume characters and the typical, brilliant lyrics bring a great deal to the proceedings. Even at an early age, both of these writers could capture stories with a great deal of empathy and humour while mixing it with melancholy. “Anything But Me,” and the album’s finale, “Trixies Parts One and Two,” bring the story and album to an end with great effect. Musically, Part One is much harder than Part II, which is as close to London’s West End as anything on this album.

Trixies is a brilliant album that also serves as an historical piece. It is not so much a gap in their discography, but it gives an insight into the early days of Squeeze. It is a brilliant step back in time, while at the same time shedding new light on Squeeze.

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