Some Fantastic Place

by

Squeeze

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This 1993 album was a great return to form for the talented Chris Difford and Glen Tilbrook, more than 15 years and about 12 albums since their 1978 debut. Some Fantastic Place is an engaging album of wry observations and poignant tales of ordinary folk. Every song tells a story whilst musically the album is diverse and multifaceted. Uptempo numbers like Third Rail and Everything In The World alternate with beautiful ballads like Pinocchio and Images Of Loving. There are no fillers here as the duo's songwriting prowess is displayed throughout the album. My personal favorites include the title track, a sad song about a lost friend, the soulful ballad Loving You Tonight, the anguished Everything In The World, and the witty Cold Shoulder. Squeeze paints memorable scenarios in their songs and their intelligent lyrics are set to catchy tunes. Some Fantastic Place contains some of the most authentic and timeless pop music of the early 1990s.

This was something like, the 12th album from Squeeze. It was a highly listenable effort after the lackluster "Frank" and "Play," but nowhere near the superb "Argy Bargy" and "East Side Story." So why own this?

Because so far in America, none of the songs have made it to compilations. And "Some Fantastic Place" has its share of superb Difford/Tilbrook compositions. The title song is, IMHO, one of the best tributes to a fallen friend ever written. Paul Carrack is back on board to play keyboards, and sings lead on the "Tempted" rewrite, "Loving You Tonight." (Which scored significant airplay on Adult Contemporary stations in 1993.) The album kicks off with the bubbly, instantly recognizable Squeeze harmonies of "Everything In The World."

Unfortunately, the second half of the CD is kind of draggy. It sure sounds like the Squeeze you've known and loved, but overall, "Some Fantastic Place" is just an average affair. Should there ever be a halfways decent compilation released in the states (or if A&M ever gets the classic albums reissued), this Cd will become redundant.