Glenn Tilbrook's first full band, post Squeeze, album is a 14 track affair that takes in rockabilly, love songs, experimentation and, of course, bittersweet pop that recalls past glories with his Deptford buddies. Strangely there is no sign of recent single Binga Bong (no great loss) but there is plenty of melodic trickery and great tunes.
A more consistent sounding record than Transatlantic Ping Pong, thanks to the sterling musicianship of long time collaborators The Fluffers and the mixing talents of Bob Clearmountain, Pandemonium Ensues is a good natured long player with wit and big chorus's to spare.
'She Makes Me', 'Through The Net' and the bouncy 'Black Sheep' bring to mind 'Ridiculous' period Squeeze with a hint of Blur thrown in for good measure whilst 'Still' and 'Interest & Love' (the latter featuring the vocal talents of Vanessa Paradis) reward repeated listening in spades. It's also worth noting that, whilst not entirely successful, 'Product' and 'Too Close To The Sun' are happy to flirt with experimentation and sound not unlike early Split Enz. It's hard to think of any other musician 30 years into a career with the guts to throw out such musical curve balls.
Lyrically he's no Chris Difford but Pandemonium Ensues does show that Tilbrook has quietly honed and perfected his own wordplay to a level that should make the proposed new Squeeze record very interesting indeed. Impressive stuff.