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Amazon.co.uk Review
Review
True, there are small elements of modernity creeping into the mix. Beat box rhythms keep the production crisp and metronomic while his subjects could only exist in this day and age. And what subjects! In the great Deptford kitchen sink tradition these are everyday tales writ large. Glenn writes about middle-aged failure, domestic violence (''Hostage''), childhood friends (''Ray and Me''), AIDS (''There For Her''), familial break-ups (''Domestic Distortion'') and err...onanism (''Reinventing The Wheel'').
His voice hasn't lost one iota of its youthful appeal. It's still as sweet as it was in 1978 with ''Untouchable'' and ''Neptune'', in particular, sporting irresistible choruses, though one occasionally longs for the growling counterpoint of old mucker Difford. A gimmick or two wouldn't actually hurt but it's a shame that the latter song relies on the hackneyed 'Uranus' joke.
The only real downside is that all the sweetness gets a little too glutinous at times, and sometimes the tunes fall short of the lyrics (especially on the wildly hyperactive ''Hot Shaved Asian Teens''), resorting too often to anonymous funk. Also ''Untouchable'' sounds more like Tilbrook aping Neil Finn when, by rights, the New Zealander owes the Londoner a huge debt of gratitude. It's a bit like John Lennon doing a song that sounds just like ELO.
In this day and age this level of craftsmanship can seem like connoisseur's stuffonly. But Transatlantic... can still proudly take its place next to all those other great shiny pop moments that he's given us over the years. Let's just hope enough people listen... --Chris Jones
Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
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Customer Reviews
The beauty of his melodies are highlighted by the production instead of being muddied by them as in the case of his first solo effort as well as the last Squeeze CD. Stand out tracks include Neptune, Untouchable, Hot Shaved Asian Teens and Hostage. Glenn has also improved as a lyricist as he proves in Neptune--a scathing attack on former Squeeze partner Chris Difford. While not being as harsh as Lennon's How Do You Sleep, it comes pretty darn close. The bad blood must not be too deep though, as Difford co-wrote one song here (When Can I Be Your Friend)
This one could be a hit with the right promotion. He deserves it. He works harder than almost anyone else. If you haven't caught his live show, you should do, man.
Now, he's brought out his second solo album. The single "Untouchable" is full of Glenn's characteristic hooks, twists, turns, key changes and lively production. But there's more depth to this collection than a single hummable poppy tune would have you believe. There's a darker underbelly in tracks such as "Hot Shaved Asian Teens", and pure comedy in the country ballad "The Genitalia of a Fool".
In short, it's an incredibly surprising return to form, with clear production, charming songs, a dynamic young band and a bit of bitterness thrown in to spice the whole thing up. Just classic.
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