Album review: SQUIRE – Get Ready To Go!/September Gurls

Hi-Lo Records [Release date 26.10.19]

Squire formed around the time of the Mod revival in the late 70’s and were fronted by Anthony Meynell. They went on to release five studio albums, before relocating to the US in 1985 and they have toured on and off since then.

‘Get Ready To Go!’ is the album, not the compilation of the same name, which can be a tad confusing. The 14 tracks on here were originally recorded between 1977 -78 and remixed in 2019 (together with a brand new song – ‘I’m 21’).

They certainly covered some musical ground from the glorious Beach Boys sounds of ‘Let’s Have Some Fun’, through to the DIY punk sound on ‘I Just Don’t Wanna Work!’, plus a little get and go Ramones spirit on the title track. The newly recorded ‘I’m 21’ fits in nicely, looking at the past forty years since the band first started out.

1984’s ‘September Gurls’ was original released as a mini-album and included a couple of covers, most notably the title track, a Big Star song. By this release you can see the band’s musical leanings towards power pop, with a nods towards the Byrds and the Kinks (‘Tired Of Hiring’).

Both albums feature the lyrics, but scant other information and perhaps a set of sleeve notes would have added further to the appeal of the albums.

Squire were one of many bands that never quite made the next step up to wider recognition, however they are rightly revered in Mod and power pop circles. Of the two releases ‘September Gurls’ has stood the test of time better, plus its jangly power pop heartbeat gives the music a wider appeal.

Review by Jason Ritchie

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)