release date: Feb. 1980
format: digital (1997 remaster)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,78]
producer: John Wood & Squeeze
label: A&M Records - nationality: England, UK
Track highlights: 1. "Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)" (official video) (Top Of The Pops) - 2. "Another Nail in My Heart" (official video) (Top Of The Pops) - 3. "Separate Beds" - 4. "Misadventure" - 6. "Farfisa Beat" - 6. "If I Didn't Love You" - 9. "Vicky Verky"
3rd studio album by Squeeze and the follow-up to Cool for Cats (Apr. 1979) and now again with John Wood who also produced the '79 album. Since their last album, bassist Harri Kakoulli - who has been with the band since '74 - has left and is here replaced by John Bentley.
The album starts very much in the same vein as the predecessor, although with a noticeable improved production sound, and then the album starts with two of the band's best songs, after which the quality slightly drops. The power pop element has been turned down a little and instead Squeeze takes a stance as a strong singer / songwriter collective, and it also seems as if the band has made a significant decision concerning style, which may be heard more significantly on the following albums. There is no longer doubt as to whether the band just wants to be another alternative to The Jam or Madness 'cause Squeeze stands out much more distinct as a band with its very own sound and with something at heart. As in connection with the '79 album, Argybargy was followed by four singles - although, only with two official UK releases. "Another Nail in My Heart" was first single, which preceded the album and was released in Jan. '80. It peaked at No. #17 on the national chart list. Track #6 followed as a single in March - but this tmie only in the US (without any rankings), then followed "Pulling Mussels (From a Shell)", which 'only' reached a position as number #44 in the UK, although, it's later known as one of the band's absolute signature songs. The final single, "Farfisa Beat" was only released as a single in Denmark and Germany (without rankings here).
The front cover on Argybargy is the first to feature the band members. From left to right, vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and songwriter Chris Difford, keyboardist Jools Holland, drummer Gilson Lavis, vocalist, lead guitarist, and songwriter Glenn Tilbrook, and far right: new bassist John Bentley.
Argybargy is ranked as number two on my list of the band's top-3 albums, only bettered by the successor East Side Story.
[ allmusic.com 5 / 5, Smash Hits, Uncut 4,5 / 5, Mojo, Record Collector, Rolling Stone Album Guide 4 / 5 stars ]
