Squeeze - Trixies

March 6th, 2026

(Album Review)

****1/2

Classic 60s / 70s Pop that shows the band off at their best

I picked up the new album by Squeeze because I wanted to give them another chance. I thought there must be something to them, seeing that they have been playing to big audiences around the country for years. I did see them live at the Brentwood festival once, but they never really drew me in... so I wanted to see if they could do this on their new record. 'The Place we call Mars' the opening track to album, seems to be the bands tribute to David Bowie. Like 'Ziggy Stardust' album, 'Life on Mars' if it was done by The Beatles. It has a little bit of 'Sgt. Peppers' Lonely Heart Club Band' to it. Squeeze 80s / 90s sound which always had a slight Retro flair to it, has gone full 60s / 70s Pop on this release. Mixed up with a bit of Prog and Psychedelia on the crazy brilliant second track 'Hell on Earth'. Like other Squeeze releasea the keyboards / organs are one of strongest elements on this song.

The keyboards sound very different from when Jools Holland was in the band in the 80s / 90s, where they were more Jazzy - they are more Goth orientated on the track 'The Dancer', which is more Echo & the Bunnymen / Bauhaus esq. Which I was very surprised to hear Squeeze doing. And have to say also its a bit weird with lines like "The Old man says take off your Clothes", which is disturbing but at the same time showing that Squeeze are trying something new on this album. The old Goth sound is so perfect, and you just have to wonder how they have reproduced it in such a way. 'Good Riddence' is so different in comparison with the Extreme (American Hard Rock Band) esq. Harmony at the beginning. The lyrics are so strange again on this track, but still as brilliant. "Micky Mouse type of talking - do a French style of Walking - floppy hats and fake ribbons".

Have to say what the Hell are they going on about, but it is funny and cool. "Savage women with tongues like razors!" Another great line, there is so many that I can't keep up. Squeeze were always a clever band, but they have got even smarter on this release. And the sound is so perfect, even like the band Honeycrack in places. Like on the song 'Don't go out in the Dark', which continues the Psychedelic themes. The sound gives you comparisons to The Beatles later trippy drug era, if it was even more chilled and laid back. 'Why don't You' is a really fun track, with a catchy chorus'. Think The Sweet and Mud, if they had come more out of the 60s beat era... rather than the 70s Glam era. You will be singing-a-long to this one after a couple of minutes of listening to it and you will know every word.

They continue this on 'Anything but Me', which I really love the clashing guitars on. The simple underbelly is uplifted with a brilliant chorus, and so many different elements. They slow things down for Pink Floyd / Lou Reed inspired track called 'Anything but Me', which they invite you to a little story on. Their storytelling is great on this, and you're really drawn more into the record. I have to say I didn't realise that the songs on the album were written in 1974, and only realised this when I did some more research when it got to the track 'It's Over', where I had a feeling that this had to be written a long time ago, and I was right. 'The Jaguars' is an upbeat number that is almost Country Garth Brooks in places, with a hidden element of the Blues and the Squeeze sound. Really like this track, but not sure that it fits on the album. But this album, just keeps surprising me.

The last two songs I almost think they should have release as an extra CD on the release, but that would have been hard with them being the name of the album. Just being labelled Part one and two, they are almostsoundtrack-esque. So they could have released just these two songs as a concept CD, and I think that would have enhanced the release in some way. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this album, and would have a listen back to other Squeeze albums to see if I like them. I had photographed them a few times and I liked them but couldn't really get into them as much as I would have liked to. But on 'Trixies' I have seen new elements in them, and as some who has always liked word play. I loved it and was fascinated about what they are trying to say on each song.

Maybe I need to look further into the bands soul, and realise they were not only a gimmick band that produced that song 'Cool for Cats' for the milk commercial and that they had Jools Holland as a member at one time. I have found the piano meistero has gotten a bit boring in recent years, so really is not for me. But Squeeze are very influential and are a very complexed band with so much to say. So the lesson we have learned today, is not always take things at face value. Because so many things have so many depths, which you might not see straight away. Added note - if I had written these great songs in 1973 it would have took me to 2026 to release them.

Review by Dan Devour