{"id":213895,"date":"2026-02-19T00:15:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T23:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/recordcollectormag.com\/?p=213895"},"modified":"2026-04-28T12:29:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T11:29:09","slug":"squeeze-reclaimed-from-critical-darlings-to-cover-stars-again","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/siteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev:443\/https\/recordcollectormag.com\/cover-story\/squeeze-reclaimed-from-critical-darlings-to-cover-stars-again","title":{"rendered":"Squeeze Reclaimed: From Critical Darlings to Cover Stars Again"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Welcome to what we believe is the first, for many years, even decades, music press front cover article on the band occasionally referred to as The Deptford Beatles. It is, we think — and do write in to argue otherwise \u2013 the first time Squeeze<\/a> <\/strong>have appeared on the front of a music magazine since the August 1982 edition of America\u2019s Trouser Press<\/strong><\/em>, or possibly the 21 July 1979 issue of the NME<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Back in the late 70s and early 80s, Squeeze <\/strong>were critical faves, taken Very Seriously Indeed by music journalists, 1981\u2019s East Side Story<\/em> in particular confirming Squeeze <\/strong>as one of those outfits, in the wake of punk (see also The Police, XTC and Costello<\/strong>), doing Interesting Things <\/strong>with the pop song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, not so much. Until now, largely \u2013 ironically \u2013 thanks to a new album of re-recorded songs entitled Trixies<\/strong><\/em>, originally written by Chris Difford <\/strong>and Glenn Tilbrook <\/strong>some 52 years ago. Jeremy Allen<\/strong> explores the genesis of Trixies <\/strong><\/em>with the new wave John<\/strong> and Paul<\/strong>, <\/em>then goes record shopping in Brighton with Chris <\/strong>and rifles through Glenn<\/strong>\u2019s record collection at his South East London studio. Plus, there\u2019s a four-page discography. Truly<\/strong>, Squeeze <\/strong>are having a Late Period<\/strong> Moment<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is far from all. Tony<\/strong> Cummings <\/strong>traces black dance music\u2019s development from Philly soul to disco<\/strong>. Peter Hammill <\/strong>discusses one album from each decade of his solo career. The Dogs D\u2019Amour<\/strong> talk glam-sleaze rock. Otis Williams <\/strong>reminisces about the heyday of The<\/strong> Temptations<\/strong>. We meet \u201cthe band that never was\u201d, Swell Maps<\/strong>. And we choose Edinburgh\u2019s finest 45s<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In News, we look at pop and rock artists turning to musicals. RC<\/em> <\/strong>Investigates takes a dive into the wacky world of novelty records. The Collector this month is non-profit record shop owner Andy Bell<\/strong>. Value Added Facts answers questions about The Doors<\/strong>, Dexter Wansel <\/strong>and more. Diggin\u2019 For Gold unearths the catalogue of Parisien label BYG\/Actuel<\/strong>. Not Forgotten pays tribute to Bob Weir, Sly Dunbar, Kenny Morris<\/strong> and more sadly departed. David Quantick salutes the importance of humour in music. Pat Metheny <\/strong>and Andy Platts <\/strong>are among the Talking Heads. We spend 33 1\/3 minutes with Emeli Sande<\/strong>, we go in the Engine Room with Phil Chen <\/strong>and Under The Radar with Putter Smith<\/strong>, James Grant<\/strong> ex-of Friends Again<\/strong> picks his favourite music and our man Chris Wheatley <\/strong>chooses his favourite Japanese Jazz records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our Reviews section is as authoritative and comprehensive as ever, with \u2018lead\u2019 album reviews of Care<\/strong>, Hawkwind<\/strong>, The Yardbirds<\/strong>, Prince<\/strong>, Morrissey<\/strong>, Courtney Barnett<\/strong> and The Twilight Sad <\/strong>and genre round-ups of Reggae, Soul and Metal; reviews of Books on AOR, Scottish punk, ABBA<\/strong>\u2019s breakthrough album, Richard Manuel, Robert Forster and more as well as reviews of Films on Paul McCartney <\/strong>and Elvis<\/strong> Presley<\/strong>. That leaves our regular Singles page, our Shop Of The Month, our Live reviews section and our Gig Guide which this month includes a Q&A with Simon Bartholomew <\/strong>of Brand<\/strong> New Heavies<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re already hard at work on RC<\/em> 582, the April issue out 19 March. It\u2019s a Record Store Day<\/strong><\/em> special, with all sorts of stuff on the key day in the vinyl calendar. We also speak to Robert Plant, Pink Fairies, Celtic Frost <\/strong>and Captain Sensible<\/strong>. And we present \u2018theme\u2019 articles on Shoegaze <\/strong>and 1976 soul, funk and disco <\/strong>and pick the best ever 45s to come out of Stockholm<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See you next month,
and don\u2019t forget to tune into the latest episode of RC<\/strong><\/em>\u2019s long-player podcast, <\/em>Needlepoint<\/strong><\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul Lester<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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