Difford and Tilbrook Squeeze Out Charm

Doin’ their third-ever acoustic show, Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook--better-known as the singing/songwriting minds behind England’s stately pop group Squeeze--proved every charming lil’ bit as simultaneously dour, dulcet and endlessly self-deprecating as they do on their day jobs.

Along with sparkling renditions of Squeeze’s most-beloved material, Saturday’s hour-long, first-of-two shows at McCabe’s ranged from three tunes off the group’s strong, just-released “Frank” album to a not ‘alf bad take on Stick McGhee’s vintage 1949 kozmik blues “Drinkin’ Wine, Spo-Dee-O-Dee”

Powered by Tilbrook’s magnificent, sweet and soulful vocals and Difford’s vivid, detail-encrusted lyrics, this was POP! music at its finest, never losing the ethereal beauty of the melody even when engaging such resolutely earthbound subjects as alcoholism (“Labeled With Love”) menstruation (“She Doesn’t Have To Shave”), seaside holidays (“Pulling Mussels From A Shell”) and divorce (“Up the Junction”).