Frank is a studio album by new wave group Squeeze, released in 1989. The album sold poorly, and Squeeze was dropped by A&M Records while on tour. Forced to take offers from different major labels for the first time in their career, the band soon signed with Reprise Records and began working on their next studio album, Play.
Frank peaked at number 58 in the UK Albums Chart. It peaked at No. 113 on the Billboard 200.
Production
Frank was recorded live in the studio with producer Eric "E.T." Thorngren.
Critical reception
Trouser Press called the album the band's best since Argybargy, writing: "Relocating its original magic with memorably inventive material and spirited delivery, Squeeze here seems exuberantly youthful, as if music-making had suddenly become fun again." Phoenix New Times wrote that Squeeze went "for a live garagey sound that finally gives [Gilson] Lavis' powerhouse drumming center-stage placement." The Rolling Stone Album Guide called the album "well-crafted" but "only occasionally involving."
Track listing
All songs written by Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook except as indicated. "Frank" (Public domain, no author) – 0:15 "If It's Love" – 4:02 "Peyton Place" – 4:08 "Rose I Said" – 3:36 "Slaughtered, Gutted and Heartbroken" – 4:37 "(This Could Be) The Last Time" – 3:49 "She Doesn't Have to Shave" – 3:27 "Love Circles" – 5:34 "Melody Motel" – 3:51 "Can of Worms" – 4:47 "Dr. Jazz" (Jools Holland) – 4:04 "Is It Too Late" – 3:12
Bonus tracks on 2007 CD reissue
"Red Light" (b-side of "Love Circles") – 4:23
"Frank's Bag" (b-side of "If It's Love") – 3:43
"Good Times Bring Me Down" (previously unreleased) – 5:14
"Any Other Day" (previously unreleased) – 3:42
"Who's That" (demo, b-side of "Love Circles") – 2:41
"If I'm Dead" (Glenn Tilbrook demo) – 2:14
"She Doesn't Have to Shave" (live, BBC Radio 1 Acoustic Session 19/10/1989) – 3:11 "Melody Motel" (live, BBC Radio 1 Acoustic Session 19/10/1989) – 3:52
Personnel
Squeeze
Chris Difford – guitars, backing vocals, lead vocals (5, 8) Glenn Tilbrook – keyboards, guitars, lead and backing vocals Jools Holland – acoustic piano, organ, backing vocals, lead vocals (11) Keith Wilkinson – basses, backing vocals Gilson Lavis – drums
Additional personnel
Matt Irving – accordion (3, 9) Karen Beany, Monique Dyan and Barrie St. Johns – backing vocals (2)
Production
Squeeze – arrangements
Glenn Tilbrook – producer
Eric "ET" Thorngren – producer, engineer, mixing
Paul Tipler – assistant engineer
Mark Willie – assistant engineer
Stylorouge – design
Chris Difford, Gilson Lavis, Glenn Tilbrook and Keith Wilkinson – portrait photography Trevor Rogers – front cover and inner sleeve photography