So it's a pleasure to report that Transatlantic Ping Pong, his second solo record, upholds Squeeze's high level of pop craftsmanship. Like his old band's best work, Tilbrook's new songs are frequently sharp vignettes exploring human foibles. The poignant "Hostage" examines an abusive marriage from the point of view of the wife's long-lost friend, while the highly autobiographical "Ray & Me" takes a nostalgic, bittersweet look at a childhood friendship. The angelic-voiced singer also displays his devilish sense of humor on tunes like "The Genitalia of a Fool," a twangy, comic tune about a man who exposes "the wrong kind of family jewels."
After several purely solo tours, Difford is playing again with a band (amusingly named the Fluffers), and he's greatly enjoying it. "I don't think I ever had this much fun with Squeeze," he said in a recent phone interview. While Difford gravitates toward making people laugh, he feels songs with depth can co-exist quite easily with humor. And it's this wonderfully entertaining combination of the serious and the lighthearted, as well as a mix of new and old songs, that he'll be bringing to the Engine Room this weekend.
