Squander is one of the three new tracks from Skunk Anansie's greatest hit's album, "Smashes and Trashes." The song is a stadium rock style ballad with a wailing chorus and dynamic musicianship. While the song has it's merits, it doesn't have the punch that I remember from Skunk Anansie back in the old days. It has a trickling feel throughout most of the song, with slight gushing in parts, which nudges the song through to the finish. Skin's voice still has the haunting power that we all remember and the music is technically not lacking in any way. I just am not overly keen on the song.


The other new songs on the greatest hits are 'Tear The Place Up,' which is a full rockfest, shouty extravaganza and 'Because of You' which is a dynamic operatic rock experience. I like both of these songs much more than 'Squander.'

I can't really pinpoint what irks me about 'Squander.' It just rubs me up the wrong way, giving me an urge to turn it off. I like Skunk Anansie and met Ace once, who is a really nice guy so it pains me to talk ill of his new song. I wouldn't discourage anyone from checking out 'Squander,' as it has merit points in all the right places. The lyrics are passionate and meaningful, the vocals are haunting and embracing, the guitar is tender, the bass is soft and squishy, and the drums are like a silk-gloved hand under the whole thing. It works in potential, but not in practice for me. I think it might just be a grower, and not a shower. I think also that if you were to listen to it within the context of the "Smashes and Trashes" album, among all the old favourites, then it would likely become as loved as the rest of their songs.