Play by Squeeze - DeepRiffs

ALBUM

One of Squeeze's most mature and thoughtful albums, 1991's Play might be a bit pretentious in spots -- the liner notes are written out as a theatre script, with the songs laid out as dialogue -- but it's probably Squeeze's best post-reunion album. Shorn of the misguided experiments of Cosi Fan Tutti Frutti and the naked chart ambitions of Babylon and On and Frank, Play is a simple and low-key collection of songs charting (loosely; this is less of a concept album than many reviews claimed at the time) the dissolution of a love affair. Reduced to a quartet by Jools Holland's departure for a career as a BBC television presenter (the group's South London homeboy Steve Nieve, tour keyboardist Matt Irving, and more implausibly, Bruce Hornsby provide the keyboards), the group play with a loose, R&B-inflected casualness. Producer Tony Berg, unfortunately, occasionally obscures that character by drowning the songs in strings and mass backing vocals (including special appearances by Michael Penn, Wendie Colter, and Spinal Tap's Michael McKean and Christopher Guest!), but the Difford/Tilbrook songs are mostly strong enough to withstand the onslaught. "The Truth" and the downcast "Walk a Straight Line" are particular highlights. ~ Stewart Mason

1. Satisfied

Performer: Squeeze; Performer
Primary Artist: Squeeze; Main Performer
Composer: Difford
Tilbrook; Composer

2. Crying in My Sleep

Primary Artist: Squeeze; Main Performer
Composer: Difford
Tilbrook; Composer

3. Letting Go

Performer: Squeeze; Performer
Primary Artist: Squeeze; Main Performer
Composer: Difford
Tilbrook; Composer

4. The Day I Get Home

Primary Artist: Squeeze; Main Performer
Composer: Difford
Tilbrook; Composer

5. The Truth

Primary Artist: Squeeze; Main Performer
Composer: Difford
Tilbrook; Composer

6. House of Love

Primary Artist: Squeeze; Main Performer
Composer: Difford
Tilbrook; Composer

7. Cupid's Toy

Primary Artist: Squeeze; Main Performer
Composer: Difford
Tilbrook; Composer

8. Gone to the Dogs

Primary Artist: Squeeze; Main Performer
Composer: Difford
Tilbrook; Composer

9. Walk a Straight Line

Primary Artist: Squeeze; Main Performer
Composer: Difford
Tilbrook; Composer

10. Sunday Street

Primary Artist: Squeeze; Main Performer
Composer: Difford
Tillbrook; Composer

11. Wicked and Cruel

Primary Artist: Squeeze; Main Performer
Composer: Difford
Tilbrook; Composer

12. There Is a Voice

Primary Artist: Squeeze; Main Performer
Composer: Difford
Tilbrook; Composer

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

12 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

52 minutes and 28 seconds

Explicit

None

Coverart

Available and up to 1425x1425 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

CD Quality (Lossless)

16bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

All tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

9/12 tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

Pop/Rock, Alternative, College Rock, Adult Alternative, New Wave

Label

Rhino - Warner Records

Music Distribution Service

Warner

Country

United States

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Jul 31, 1991

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

603497948574