Song Of the Day: January 21, 2006
Squeeze - Cat On A Wall
From the EP "Packet of Three," Deptford Fun City, 1977
Squeeze have largely suppressed memories of their admittedly uneven John Cale-produced debut album, but they've practically wiped this three-song 7" out of existence in the manner of the old Soviet purges. They barely acknowledge it exists even in the recent song-by-song overview of their career, even though they don't seem particularly embarrassed by the largely awful Domino album. Still, you can't really blame them. I only found it myself a couple of months ago, while I was trolling eBay looking for an old Mekons single my wife wanted. I only paid ten bucks for it in VG+ condition, which is under the going rate, but I still think I overpaid a bit. This song, the a-side, is a catchy little pub rock tune, but the two on the flip are indeed pretty bad. However, they deserve points for using a lockgroove on the fadeout matrix, a neat trick I've always liked. I've included a few seconds of the effect at the end of this file.
Anglophile trivia: "Packet of three" is the common UK term for a box of condoms. Given that the band's original name was Cum, this is not the least bit out of character.
-Stewart Mason
13 Comments:
The Packet of Three tracks were all re-released on a 1990 US CD single of the live version of "Annie Get Your Gun" from A Round and a Bout. That may or may not be easier to find than the vinyl single.
Last night I bought the new issue of Uncut, which includes an article about Squeeze--but I haven't actually read it yet.
Yes, umm - this ending, this repeating ending...you say it wasn't originally there? Can I assume the original ends when they shout STOP!? eh? I can't hear you...! oh, the song is very nice, almost punk-edged, wouldn't you say? I can't hear you...
jAKAsso! collecting squeeze since just the other day
I always liked 'Backtrack'.... stonking little rocker!
this is such a great site!
i hope you get to updating more.
-a fan.
I agree... "Backtrack" was always underrated (and head & shoulders above all their late-career mid-tempo crap).
Kinda weird to hear them "rock out." Interesting, though, that they already had the Difford-Tilbrook harmony blend worked out by this point.
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