(B-side to single, "Sunday Street" from album, "Play")
Of all the Squeeze songs..."Is That Love?", "Up The Junction", "Another Nail In My Heart", "Tempted", "Labelled With Love", "Hourglass", "Take Me I'm Yours"...he picks a bloody B-side.
Yes. I do pick a B-side. Because, as with all the B-sides I've reviewed, this is a hidden gem. And a brilliant song as well...
"Maidstone" is classic Squeeze, even after the heyday. All the hits later, washed up in the bottom half of the UK 200, drink abusers and their success behind them, there was little chance of Squeeze ever shining again...as it happens, they did manage it...but that was 1995, almost a whole decade after their last chart hits. Come on! This was one of the UK's proudest exports. Edgy from the beginning, a charming lead singer, consistently catchy guitar hooks, and the odd brilliant stroke of genius on the keys - this is a band, everybody knows and loves, even if they've only heard "Cool For Cats" the once, and didn't know it was by a band called Squeeze...
Bizarrely (or perhaps not) this track, B-side to an ill-fated chart failure, has become a live favourite and was even included on the band's 2005 double CD greatest hits...which is where I first stumbled across it.
Its got a great little folky bass line with a mandolin-esque guitar line over the top, the unmistakable vocal harmony of Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford floating in on top. It really works as a 'nice little song', harmless and very inconspicuous. Other than that, its also a really nice love song with a very romantic chorus, when the voiceover emotively exclaims, 'I can't live without loving you'.
The lyrics are littered with the practises of a normal individual, in a normal hypnotic fit of love, going about their normal life, in the bath and shopping around supermarkets in Maidstone. Its charming in every sense and, more than just a 'little ditty', its got some soul and is full of cute observations; the paving stone squares, teeth chatting in the chilly wind - unsuspecting and harmless, its the old Squeeze, being nothing more than a bit of fun.
Musically, its the same. A jumpy little dance track, or a folky, acoustic love song? You can make your own mind up, but its a great track nonetheless.
This review is mostly to get you eased into a great sound, and some great talent. Frankly, this isn't their best stuff, but its a smooth, poppy way into the older, more new wave back catalogue. Seriously, check this band out; they are awesome, and this is just a taster...
★★★★
Versions of "Maidstone"
B-side Single Version - 3:35