East Side Story was the first album for new keyboardist Paul Carrack. He sang lead on the track “Tempted”, which became one of Squeeze's best-known songs, and Squeeze's first U.S. chart hit. Shortly after the release of this album, Carrack would leave the band for a solo career, but he returned to Squeeze for a time in the early 1990s, playing and singing on the Some Fantastic Place album.

#2: U.K. SQUEEZE

Though their subsequent albums would take a more staid approach to pop music, this debut is perhaps Squeeze's most interesting effort. Having dismissed the songs they brought to the studio, producer John Cale forced songwriters Difford & Tillbrook to compose a new album on the fly.

#3: SWEETS FROM A STRANGER

At the time that the Squeeze album previous to this EASTSIDE STORY,  the collabortive effort of Difford/Tillbrook with Elvis Costello,both in creatively furtile periods in their musical career,were working their way around a series of almost Beatle-like pop songs from a large variety of sources. At this point the production is not handled by Costello anymore and again,their sound has changed.

#4: COOL FOR CATS

Such a great album, earlier, edgier sound. A couple of songs everyone will recognize, and a lot of songs relatively unplayed in US. It's Not Cricket is fun!

#5: ARGYBARGY

In between the breakout favorite, "Cool for Cats" and the best-known "East Side Story," Squeeze recorded a gem called "Argy Bargy," which is, in my opinion, their best work. More mature, musically rich and developed than Cool for Cats and less slick and moody than East Side Story (both excellent albums as well!), Argy Bargy found Squeeze at their peak, and ahead of their time for 1980. 

#6: COSI FAN TUTTI FRUTTI

Squeeze fans, this is a must-have. Three of my all-time favorite Squeeze numbers are on this album: King George Street, Last Time Forever, and I Won't Ever Go Drinking Again. Honorable mention to Hits of the Year and I Learned How to Pray.