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Previous reviews have heaped well deserved praise on this CD, which really shows what a stellar lyricist Difford is. Back in the Squeeze days, Tilbrook (for the most part) wrote the music, and Difford the lyrics, and while there is endless evidence of his talent as a lyricist in the many Squeeze albums, this very different setting is slam dunk proof. This is NOT Squeeze -- it is more somber and quiet, less pop gem-like, although still melodic. And, of course, it's all Difford's vocals, which are notably more confident than his Squeeze singing.
What hasn't been mentioned is the drama, and what an emotional drama it is. There are three stories here, running throughout the CD. One is Difford's friendship with Tilbrook. Between the jabs he takes at Tilbrook in "No Show Jones" and Tilbrook's (kind of nasty) counterpunch in "Neptune," this seems to have been a bitter break between two very close friends and professional partners who were among the very elite of song-writing teams in the history of rock (the Lennon-McCartney comparisons were misleading but deserved). And yet they never really made the breakthrough to superstardom that they deserved and (too much) wanted. This Difford CD is not shooting for that pop hit status, which is so very welcome, and really shows off Difford's talent. The other two stories are related: Difford's childhood, including his love of his parents. The song "Parents" is stunningly beautiful. But it's also poignant in light of the third theme: Difford's homosexuality, his realization of which was apparently both liberating and painful. Speaking of Lennon-McCartney comparisons, the stark honesty of this CD reminds me of Lennon's first post-Beatles solo album: Plastic Ono Band, which is a very different album from a very different artist, but equally (even uncomfortably) direct, stripped down, and not-pop.
Lastly, this is a great sounding album (as is Plastic Ono Band, by the way). If you've spent way too much on your stereo, like me, and seek out well recorded CDs, then warm up the tubes and enjoy.
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2010
Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2004
Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2012
Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2010
Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2006
Top reviews from other countries
Chris Carry
This is a beautifully crafted record
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 29, 2016Mr. S. Wood
one of Britian's best ever songwriters
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 14, 2017
