Adam And Squeeze

I know what you hear in your head when someone mentions the band Squeeze. You probably picture that awkward and embarrassing scene in Reality Bites where those wacky slackers sing along to “Tempted” on the radio. As if that song wasn’t overplayed to death a million times already. The sad thing is that before it projectile-vomited its way across the collective unconscious of anyone who was raised on ’80s radio, it was actually a great pop song. Because that’s what Squeeze does: They write great, catchy, well-constructed pop songs that have a tendency to become lodged in people’s heads. Ergo: Reality Bites. Pretty much every album, from their 1978 self-titled release right through to 1982’s Sweets From a Stranger, contained at least one or two genuine pop classics. Their earlier recordings definitely had a more “new wave” feel going on–the ominous synth sounds on “Take Me I’m Yours” paired with its lyrics of a desert love affair forecast a group that wasn’t afraid to be experimental while still being catchy and (almost) radio-friendly. If you missed them the first few times around, now is your chance to catch this amazing band. Be “Cool for Cats” and check them out Saturday at the House of Blues. Visit hob.com for more info.

Sat., Sept. 6, 2008