Customer Reviews

Transatlantic Ping Pong

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I was inspired to write a review of this album because of some of the reviews that were posted on this site. Many of the folks writing the reviews are "true" Squeeze fans - whatever that means. I guess it means that their love for Squeeze goes beyond a ragged LP copy of 45's and Under. And that's great, in my opinion, because what was special about Squeeze and the mastery of Difford and Tilbrook was always much bigger than Tempted and Take Me I'm Yours. Gems can be found on every album that this songwriting duo has ever put out. Squeeze is so much more than a greatest hits band.

However, Transatlantic Ping Pong is not Squeeze. I don't think Glenn wants it to be. This is 100% Glenn Tilbrook. Its up to you to decide whether you like it or not. But your decision should not be based on whether it "sounds like Squeeze" or whether Glenn "pushes musical boundaries". It is what it is. A beautiful, often heartfelt, collection of songs crafted with love by someone that has given us so many timeless songs, and is trying to give us some more.

You cannot and should not listen to this album and look for Squeeze in it. Listen to this album and reflect on how powerful Glenn's voice is; listen to this album and marvel at Glenn's mastery of melodies and guitar; listen to this album and wonder if the song Neptune is about Chris Difford or if the song Hostage is really just Up the Junction Revisited by a more mature and time-tested adult.

If you give this album a chance you will laugh and you might even cry while listening. You will tap your foot and sing along to Untoucable, Lost in Space and Reinventing the Wheel. You will hear Glenn Tilbrook without Squeeze around him and without Chris Difford's obviously enormous direct influence (although every song had to be influenced in one way or another by their friendship and partnership).

For what it's worth, I recommend this album very highly. It is one of my favorites of the year. But give Glenn Tilbrook the respect that he, and this album, deserves. Put this CD in the "T" section of your collection for Tilbrook and not in the "S" section for Squeeze.

Just wanted to point out the fourth track, "Hostage", since (I think) no one else mentioned it. This one *really* grows on you if you give it a chance. It's like Elvis Costello at his best; the melody is that perfect mix: challenging enough to require a few listens to grasp, and yet familar and comfortable once you've got to know it. In my opinion this one song is worth the admission price for the whole CD (not even counting the other fine songs on the CD), so if you feel discouraged upon reading the other reviews, do make an effort to get a good listen--better yet, several listens--to "Hostage". It is, in my opinion, as good as some of the best songs Squeeze ever did. Hats off to you for this one, Glenn.

This new CD of Glenn Tilbrook's is a great follow-up to his first solo. He is a fantastic singer/songwriter who continues to produce quality music, catchy tunes and an overabundance of amazingly original songs. Some of my favorites from "Transatlantic" include: "Hot Shaved Asian Teens", "Lost in Space", Hostage", (Glenn's vocal's in this song are so beautiful, I like to just close my eyes and listen), "Neptune", (which he admits is about Chris Difford), and the first track, "Unforgetable". I just saw Glenn in Ann Arbor, MI last night and he put on a really great show. What an amazing guitar player!! He really likes to interact with the crowd too. I look forward to more and more great music from the indestructable, unforgetable Glenn Tilbrook.

I'm a long-time Squeeze fan. I haven't heard Tilbrook's previous solo release, but I'll get it soon. I started with mixed feelings about this album. My reservations were mostly regarding the lyrics. The tunes themselves brought back a lot of what I loved in Squeeze -- what pop music SHOULD be. But the lyrics (most of them) have grown on me and music has won the day. Every couple of days I find yet another song from this album running through my brain. This album really is filled with gems. And plenty of doses of humor, including one (or perhaps two, if you include GOAF) odes to onanism. And some of the lyrics are terrific. "Ray and Me" being the best, I think. I can't help but miss Difford, however -- even though, oddly, the one song co-written with Difford is among the weakest on the album. All in all, great fun. And still what pop should be.

Aptly named title for an artist who seems to like making music and finding influences on both sides of the Atlantic. The first half of the CD definitely falls in the "love it!" category -- and One for the Road as a closer was an unexpected bonus. Neptune is my favorite - I like the hook created by the synchopated drum line that pairs so well with Glenn's "playful?" message to his former bandmate. HSAT rocks, but I worry when I hear my 6-year-old singing the chorus! Ray & Me and Hostage are great storytelling songs and pleasing to the ear. And Lost in Space conveys modern day "Rat Pack" cool.

Wow, is this CD terrific! I purchased it as an Import a few weeks ago, and it has found itself in heavy rotation in my CD player. With Transatlantic Ping Pong, his sophomore effort, Glenn Tilbrook is back and in top form. He sounds so confident, and like he's having the time of his life! "TAPP", in my opinion, slightly surpasses his first release, "The Incomplete Glenn Tilbrook", as it is tighter lyrically and musically. I dare you not to dance (i.e. "Lost in Space"), find a tear in your eye (i.e. "Hostage"), or be convulsed in giggles (i.e. "Genetalia of a Fool"). When was the last time you could say that about a CD? And not to mention, Mr. Tilbrook has an angelic singing voice that could melt the coldest of hearts. Oh, and did I mention he's a rockin' guitar player? He's the real deal, and everything that makes him charming and worthy of attention shines on this CD. I wholeheartedly recommend this CD, and if you are a Glenn or Squeeze fan you will be 100% delighted.

I was a big Squeeze fan back around the time of Argy Bargy and stayed with them through Sweets From a Stranger, then lost track of them until relatively recently, when I started rediscovering their old albums and discovering some of the ones made during the later years. I was very happy to stumble onto a copy of The Incompleat Glenn Tillbrook a year ago and enjoyed it, although I thought it suffered from some of the same deficiencies of the later Squeeze records--it a little over-produced and some of the melodies were a little overwritten. The Squeeze I loved was more of a great pop-based bar band, a little less arty than the later Squeeze albums or Incompleat.

Which is why I enjoy Transatlantic Ping Pong so much, I think--the pretensions are minimal, the hooks are plentiful, and the singing and playing is a little looser and a little more fun. The poppiest songs are the best--"Neptune," "Hostage," "Ray and Me," "Reinventing the Wheel," "Where I Can Be Your Friend," and the glorious "Untouchable," which in a just world would have been a bit hit. Tillbrook's penchant for goofiness costs this album a star--"Genitalia of a Fool" is, like many novelty songs, hilarious once, then you never need to hear it again, and "Hot Shaved Asian Teens" is a little creepy even if it is meant as a joke--but I'd take a half-dozen more just like this album all the same.

Glenn Tilbrook's new solo album is filled with fun and fresh music. From mellow to silly music-his beautiful melodic voice and talented guitar playing-make every track a winner in my book. If you love Squeeze, you most assuredly love Glenn Tilbrook-I definitely recommend picking this one up!

"Transatlantic Ping Pong" could easily be the gem of 2004. Glenn Tilbrook (late of Squeeze)retraces his musical steps but without creating a second rate work. "TPP" bubbles with energy, has hooks to spare and incorporates all the musical styles Squeeze fans crew to love over the years. Like XTC, Tilbrook breathes new life into the musical styles he loves on this album.

Time will tell if "TPP" has the staying power of "East Side Story" and other classic Squeeze albums but I'd be willing to bet that Tilbrook's latest album will hold its own. Features some of Tilbrook's best material and literally brought a smile to my face. Well worth picking up!

A brilliant follow-up to his first solo release (The Incomplete Glenn Tilbrook), this album showcases all that's great about Glenn. His impeccable guitarmanship, slightly off-center sense of humor, and his amazing, sweet-as-honey voice are all in abundant evidence here. This album is full of instant "earworms," and I challenge anyone to listen to it and then NOT spend the day humming or singing snippets of one song or another. My current favorite is "Lost in Space," although "Untouchable," "Hostage," "Neptune," and "Genetalia of a Fool" (despite the title) are all closely tied for second place. The bottom line is this: I love Transatlantic Ping Pong, and highly recommend it!