Squire - Hits From 3000 Years Ago - Vinyl LP with special insert
Limited edition version of Hits From 3000 Years Ago includes special bonus insert with additional sleeve notes.
Originally released in 1981 it was the debut release of Hi Lo Records—a label born to issue the recordings by Squire. At first launched as an Anthony Meynell solo album, the LP was later reissued as Anthony Meynell and Squire, with a new pop-art sleeve which is the one used for the new reissue. It compiles 14 numbers, including some Squire classic anthems, written by Anthony between 1979 and 1981. These songs had become stage favourites of the Squire repertoire, and on the versions included here they can be heard in their rawest naked demo form.
Though the songs never enjoyed the full studio production they perhaps deserved at the time, it remains pop, dancy and crystal cool in its sparseness! It keeps its 60's influences and the 'understated' production is akin to early Who and Kinks albums. Maybe by avoiding the 80's studio gimmickry that makes the era sound so dated, the songs retain a timeless quality. In the end, the original sleeve notes sum it all up wonderfully..." - Anthony Meynell
It comes with remastered sound and features a colour insert with photos and detailed liner notes written by Anthony Meynell himself.
A1 I Don't Get Satisfaction
A2 Sandy
A3 My Mind Goes Round In Circles
A4 Live Without Her Love
A5 I've Got You On My Mind
A6 B-A-B-Y- Baby Love
A7 I Put My Arms Around Her
B1 Make Love To You
B2 Noonday Underground
B3 Modern Love
B4 Saturday Shopping
B5 Does Stephanie Know
B6 To Keep Me Satisfied
B7 The Youth Of Today Gonna Make It
When the Jam moved up from punk upstarts to mod statesmen in 1979, the British kids turned to other mod outfits to satisfy their craving for everything well-dressed and retro. While the Chords followed in the Jam's footsteps, the three other main contenders for the mod followed different musical paths: Secret Affair were a magical blend of punk, soul and pop with a mild dose of prog; the Lambrettas were straightforward power pop; and Squire were a mix of all of the above and more. In fact, if the mod scene hadn't existed, Squire would have still made brilliant, timeless records, no matter what was going on around them. While only releasing one full-fledged album (Get Smart!), singer/songwriter Anthony Meynell would embrace the '60s wholeheartedly while releasing a batch of singles that still managed to sound contemporary while exposing the many influences he wore on his sleeve. While briefly retiring the Squire name, Meynell issued this album of unreleased tracks under his own name in 1981. Not surprisingly, it sounds just like Squire (in fact, this album boasts an alternate version of the Squire favorite "My Mind Goes Round in Circles"). Once again, the songs are top-notch odes to his '60s influences. While The Singles Album is a varied collection of songs, Hits from 3000 Years Ago is a far more cohesive album. The songs are filled with an excitement and wild-eyed innocence that may not get punk enthusiasts excited, but mod fans and power pop fans will eat this up with gusto and passion. It's sugar sweet and ballsy enough to crank up loud while cruising down Main Street on a Saturday night and not be embarrassed about. The music is timeless and more melodic than most albums released in the last 25 years (one tune here has probably more hooks than a modern power pop album). ""I Don't Get Satisfaction"," "B-A-B-Y Baby Love," and "To Keep Me Satisfied" are pure magic with power chords! While not Anthony Meynell's finest work (that honor goes to the Get Smart!), this is solid from beginning to end and actually out-pop's the excellent Singles Album! (The CD version uses the artwork from the second issue of the album, when it was re-re-released in 1983 after the success of Get Smart!). Stephen SPAZ Schnee - All Music Guide
