Top tracks — play these first
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Tempted Start here — This track stands out for its memorable chorus and exploration of longing and desire, encapsulated through rich harmonies and compelling instrumentation.
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Labelled With Love — With its storytelling approach, this song offers a poignant reflection on personal relationships, showcasing Squeeze's ability to blend narrative depth with catchy melodies.
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Is That Love? — This track highlights the band's knack for crafting infectious pop hooks while addressing themes of uncertainty in love, making it an enduring fan favorite.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases clever songwriting and engaging melodies typical of its era, though it has some uneven pacing.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features upbeat tracks with a consistent tempo, while the second half introduces slower ballads that shift the overall mood.
- Several tracks incorporate prominent keyboard melodies that drive the arrangements, creating a distinct sound characteristic of early '80s new wave.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- catchy hooks and melodies
- short, engaging song lengths
- reflective lyrical storytelling
- varied emotional landscapes
- for casual listening
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album solidified Squeeze's reputation with hit single 'Tempted' and critical acclaim.
- Themes
- unfulfilled desire· romantic uncertainty· working-class love stories
- Career context
- Released in 1981, East Side Story was Squeeze's fifth studio album and followed their successful record, Argybargy. At this point in their career, the band had solidified their place in the UK music scene, showcasing a refined sound and lyrical complexity that marked their artistic maturity.
- Stylistic neighbors
- XTC· The Buggles· Devo
Tracklist
- 1 In Quintessence 2:57
- 2 Someone Else's Heart 3:02
- 3 Tempted Start here 4:04
- 4 Piccadilly 3:30
- 5 There's No Tomorrow 3:31
- 6 Heaven 3:52
- 7 Woman's World 3:47
- 8 Is That Love? 2:32
- 9 F-Hole 4:44
- 10 Labelled With Love 4:40
- 11 Someone Else's Bell 3:11
- 12 Mumbo Jumbo 3:15
- 13 Vanity Fair 3:12
- 14 Messed Around 2:44
- 15 The Axe Has Now Fallen 3:52
- 16 Looking for a Love 3:01
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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