all about me

In my previous post I subtly complained about the lack of a new Knife album. Well, you see, life has been going great for me as of late, and I've been happy everyday for the past week. I thought this week was pretty good. Then karma was like, "Hey, stop bitching, here" and gave me a NEW KNIFE ALBUM. FUCK YEAHHHHHHH.

Whew. Entitled Tomorrow, In a Year, the new album is the soundtrack to an 'electro-opera' The Knife has been performing. It's based on some Charles Darwin shit and the album sounds like Zeena Parkins mating with Autechre in a tropical wood. Godammnit if that makes any sense, but you should pick up this album if you like 'crazy drone music'. It's an interesting experiment.

And thanks, life. Everything is better with a slice of The Knife.

...what

Get the album at Lala

I’m in one of those creative moods. One of those moods that comes every couple months. Not where I simply feel like taking a photograph or writing a story, but one of those states in which I feel like doing both those things—along with critiquing everything I own, scripting a comic book, making a video, cutting up new noise music. Everything creative that I enjoy doing I feel like doing. Do you know what I mean? I hope you do. And I hope this feeling stays intact.

My new ‘creative thing’ is the capsule review. I don’t think I invented it. I’m sure I didn’t. I’m just not sure if ‘capsule review’ is the proper name for a short, succinct review that abandons the gristle for the heartiest of truth and lulz. Whatever it’s called (if anything), you’ll be seeing it often here on Squid Can from now on. Album reviews, DVD reviews, TV reviews, and—especially—comic book reviews will now be in capsule format unless I really feel like diving into the virtues of some work. I’ve come to realize that with the amount of media I digest—music, television, short fiction, graphic novels—there is no way I can ever feel ‘complete’ towards consuming them without some sort of judgment, some critique. It helps me make sense of it all, it helps me to make connections, and it helps my writing skills. I suppose that, after all the years of half-assing essays in religion class, I’ve finally realized the importance of reflection. Reflection can make a mindless consumer a responsible one. Writing is reflection. Art’s reflection. A whole lot of thinking shit is reflection shit. This shit right here? Reflection. Mind blown.

I’ve set up a few new banners (80s gals, natch), and I’m looking to make some other improvements towards the site. I’ve also come to realize that this site looks like Sodom and Gomorrah in Internet Explorer. So, IF YOU’RE USING IE RIGHT NOW—use Firefox instead. I like this theme and I’d rather not change it. To see the old theme, you could always sign up for an account and select the old theme. But that’s a pain in the ass. Finally, I’m working on a capsule review page entirely for the Uncanny X-Men. I have so much time on my hands. Why not use it for something mildly useless instead of completely useless?

Well, I’m off to bed. And when I wake up, it’ll start again—consumption, reflection, creation, repetition. Beautiful stuff, no?

The year 2009 was, for me (as I’m sure it was for many people) a mixed bag. I’ve always found New Years Eve a fine time for reflection—or getting wasted, if you’re so inclined—and this year is no different. I don’t want to fixate on the fact that a new decade is arriving, and I’d rather just look at it through a lighthearted lens. In seriousness, though, the position that I’m finding myself in now is infinitely better than the position I left 2008 in.

As always, music plays pretty heavily into my life and my memories—and while I discovered some old classics this year (Boards of Canada and The Dreaming, thank fucking god), there were several albums released this year that really wowed me. Don’t take this as a “best of” list—it isn’t meant to be universal by any means. These are the new albums that affected me personally in 2009—though they would make fine traveling companions for just about anyone in this new decade. Happy New Year.

NOTE: I might be missing a few albums. If that’s the case I’ll update the list later. And, hey, there's INTERACTIVE TOOLTIPS on the images. Definitely advanced stuff for 2010.

Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest

Yeah, it’s hipster bullshit. But that’s okay. On the third album by the Brooklyn plaid-aficionados, the gleefully ambient melodies from Yellow House have been surrendered to a cleaner, more accessible aesthetic. A good thing? Perhaps not entirely, but it’s difficult to argue with the choicer results, such as “Foreground”. Points for Grizzly Bear’s impeccable timing, however—the chilled, plaintive atmosphere of Veckatimest arrived at an advantageous moment, providing a perfect segue into summer. [Mp3] [CD]

Laura A and the Bad Grades - Lightnin' Bolt

It's a mighty shame, but it seems that a truly compelling release from a largely unknown artist has been ignored. Not that this sort of thing doesn't happen often in the music world--Christ, a look at Amie Street and one can't help the feeling that it seems a graveyard for great unknowns--but the offense against Laura A and her delinquent pals is clearly criminal here. With command reminiscent of Neko Case, Laura A achieves much the same mien as her more popular counterpart--only with less instruments, less fury, and a general feeling of coziness. Unfortunately, this EP is only five songs--another mighty shame given the command demonstrated on songs such as the title track. Not to be a douche, but--where's the full album? [Mp3]

HEALTH – Get Color

Depressing noise rock—with structure. Compared to the relatively helter-skelter feeling of their debut, HEALTH returned in the autumn with an album of uniform chaos. Nestled inside blistering melodies were disjointed vocals and ballistic experimentalism—a gloriously messy show. [Mp3] [CD]

Arthur and Martha – Navigation

The lasting power of this record I find a bit suspect—to be honest, I don’t think I’ve touched it since August. Even if I’m not entirely sold on the lifespan of this English debut, I remember quite well what forged the initial attraction: fuzzy and nostalgic electropop with heavy British flavour. Tear-jerking? Not quite, but it certainly has the capacity to rend emotion when the time is right. [Mp3] [CD]

Converge – Axe to Fall

Whereas Arthur and Martha can make the heart supple wax, Axe to Fall can melt
your entire fucking body into gelatin. Having seen several of the songs played live, I can confirm that Converge remains on the top of the metalcore/chaotic hardcore/whatever-the-fuck-it-is scrap heap—not that we would expect anything less from Jacob Bannon and friends. [Mp3] [CD]

Midaircondo – Curtain Call

Though I think I’ve explained enough the magnificence of this record, it has to be stated again: the ambient, jazzy duo have consistently proven their worth in the crowded arena of knob twiddlers and sample mashers. What’s next? [Mp3] [CD]

Lullatone – Songs that Spin in Circles

As blessedly cool as Midaircondo are, their album does not quite match Lullatone’s 2009 achievement. The latest album from the husband and wife pair—an album designed to be looped so as to put children to sleep—swaps some of the bittersweet electronics that guided their early releases for a more organic atmosphere. Make no mistake, the twinkly electric wonder of Lullatone’s music is ever-present; it’s just in a smaller amount. No need to get anxious about it—Songs that Spin in Circles is an effusively natural and reassuring piece of music. Some of the circuit-board wizardry may be lost, but the innocence and tranquility are intact—and they contribute to what is one of Lullatone’s best efforts yet. [Mp3] [CD]

Neko Case – Middle Cyclone

Hands down, hands up, hands fucking sideways—I don’t care where your hands are, or if you’re handless or, whatever. This is the best album of 2009. I was introduced to Case via—believe it or not—Spinner’s daily Mp3. The promo photo—one of Case wearing skimpy-looking dress wear while pulling at licorice with her teeth—had at first convinced me that Case was nothing more than another throwaway female vocalist. How fucking shamed I was upon hearing the entire record.

The days immediately preceding Middle Cyclone’s release were spent in Pennsylvania, at the home of my Dad’s best friend. My Dad had been hospitalized while on vacation, and I spent a few nights in a medium-sized Monaca, PA, apartment. Without going into further detail, let me say that it was not a cheery time in my life (aside from the stunning hospitality and generosity of my Dad’s friends).

I don’t want to imply that Case was some otherworldly, hunky-dorifying ray of light that dropped into my life—she wasn’t. But Middle Cyclone was released in what was arguably one of the most harrowing months of my life, and yet it continued to stay with me—through walks on the bike path in spring, summer afternoons, and, ultimately, at a refreshing concert given by Ms. Case in November.

One of my Christmas gifts? Why, Middle Cyclone. I had already paid for an Mp3 version, but I needed this album on disc. Why? This isn’t an album to just have sitting around on your computer. This in album to take with you—on car rides, to friend’s homes, wherever you find yourself. Middle Cyclone is an album that reaffirmed something I had been unwilling to admit to myself—when miserable, we tend to use any control we have to make ourselves even more miserable. Middle Cyclone reminds us that we each have the power, the control, to whip misery into something far more malleable, far more insightful—unrestrained, fulfilling hope. [Mp3] [CD]

Honorable Mentions (in no order)

Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band – Self-titled
True hipsters would probably make fun of me for liking this. Eh. The Seattle-based outfit caught my attention with their unusually fun departures from ‘indie rock’ tropes—a promising band.

Regina Spektor – Far
Fond memories of searching for the Salvation Army thrift store, in comfortably undemanding summer heat, to this album.

Matt & Kim – Grand
Drums, strange manboy vocals, and summery fun--an album far from the damp sack of shit I've likely just described it as.

J Dilla – Jay Stay Paid
The final chapter in Jay Dee saga? Maybe—a fitting tribute to the late Detroit producer regardless.

Lady GaGa – The Fame Monster
Yeah. I know. It’s terribly, awfully, horrendously disposable in the end but for the five days that you do enjoy it: you, too, will succumb to GaGa’s derivative, sloppy, unoriginal bullshit. Or maybe you won’t. I bet this paragraph isn't even here tomorrow.

Holly Williams – Here With Me
I wrote a review of this one back in July—my opinion hasn’t changed; this is still an album of rough-and-tough grace.

Andrea Bocelli – My Christmas
Nothing intense here. Rather, Bocelli’s grand take on the Christmas tradition is surprisingly laid-back and fun.

Annie Lennox – "Shining Light" [Single]
Just found this song the other day. Released on Lennox’s greatest hits collection. An elegantly soulful remake of Ash’s Britpoppy original.

Obligatory Thanksgiving post. Listen to some British music. Off to Best Buy in four-and-a-half-hours with two friends. WHAT IS GOING ON HERE. Reviews will be back soon.

Download "Vanishing Point" by New Order (Wikisend, V0 Mp3) (Link expired)

Instead of doing homework Monday night, I decided to look around for sites that could 'cartoonify' me. Swell idea. Eventually, I came upon a site that lets you make Miis and---DAMN, IT'S BJÖRK!

DAMN, IT'S ME!
I'm a cutie even in Mii form, huh?

Here's a deliciously dark remix for you:
Download< "Cover Me" (Plaid Mix) (Wikisend) (Link expired)
You can visit the Mii-site here.

Mom is lining up peanuts for the squirrels on the front porch, her grand-nephew smiling on as she does so. I look up at her while following my cousin Chris to the side door.
“What’s that deranged look for, Alex?” asks Mom jokingly.
“Well, I wasn’t going to say anything,” says Chris, and I laugh.

See that little vignette? I’m not just a blogger. I’m a writer.

Done laughing? Good, because I have some news. I’ll be adding some half-assed recurring posts to the site. As you can see, I haven’t been keeping up that well with the posting schedule, so I’m adding the following quick-n-easy ‘categories’ so that I can post at least one a day, even if it just a little blurb and a picture.

Don’t Quote Me on That: A post with a quote and a picture. That’s it.
Portfolio: A collection of five or so images, taken by myself, culled from around the web, or scanned from books, magazines, or other printed sources.
Adlets: An ad from a magazine or comic book that I’ve found and scanned, then critiqued in classic Squid fashion.
Vignette: Little stories like the one above, accompanied by a picture and maybe some music.
Better Together: Two works of art—whether a book, a poem, a song, or whatever—that were meant to be together.

Well, there’s my news post for the day. But, really, HOW LAME IS THIS SITE?

Mp3: “F.M. Dial” by Mathhead
Next album review: Curtain Call and Shopping for Images by Midaircondo; The Dreaming by Kate Bush

Watch this: French and Saunders meet Star Wars (YT)
Read this: “The Mirror” by Louise Glück (Scribd)
Cool beans: How to make snazzy blockquotes (via Intervisual's Flickr)

Rah rah rah, go team.

Okay, the title of this post isn’t accurate or anything. Running isn’t fun. It’s painful and a little bit satisfying but it’s most primal and raw and it makes me even more existential than I usually am. But since I managed to lop about three-and-a-half minutes off my time at a meet yesterday, I decided to include with this post a nice little image of Ra Ra Riot. Nobody smiles like that at the finish line, and I haven’t heard anything from this band beyond a decent cover of Kate Bush’s “Suspended in Gaffa.” You can watch their version at YouTube, and if you’re more into indie rock kids than you are Kate Bush’s middle-aged, neo-Victorian theatricality, then you’ll enjoy it.

So, why am I posting today? Wednesdays are supposed to be holy days of non-posts. Well, I was busy last night. And I felt like posting something here, especially after my classmates (and even my teacher, geesh) were like, “OH MY GOD, YOU NEED TO GET A FACEBOOK. WE’LL HELP YOU GET ONE.”

Huh. So, in the news. It’s okay that a young woman was murdered and that more people are concerned over Taylor Swift. Totally fine. Do I need to put sarcasm tags here? Kanye West is an ass. This is news? Of course, it’s understandable that people gravitate towards celebrities. Unimportant drama is a lot easier to digest than the realization that are very sick people in the world. On the same note, though, people should not be getting all fussed about President Obama’s comment towards Kanye. It was an off-the-record remark—and a totally warranted, correct one at that. The President does not need to be discussing ‘srs bizness’ all of the time, just as we regular folks should not ignore the dark and the real in place of glitzy, ridiculously dressed celebs 24/7.

Well, those are my thoughts for the day. Depressing, pointless, and boring as always, huh? And it’d be nice if you keep Annie Le in mind this week.

Mp3: “Tangent” by Beth Orton
Next album review: The Phoenix Demos by Kate Bush

Read this: “Heat” by H.D.
Watch this: “Hitler Finds out About Kanye West” by icepackz (Nws) (YT)

Daily bargain: Break Up by Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson ($2.99 at Amazon Mp3)
Cool beans: Photobooth.net (an online directory of old-fashioned photobooths)
Sign of the endtimes: Drunk mom fondled on flight

My Frogs (trying not to make a you-know-what reference)

Ahh, it’s GOOD TO BE BACK!

My self-imposed hiatus from Squid Can for the last few weeks has only left me hungry to return to my usual position of being a man of many talents—student, writer, photographer, critic, douchebag, blogger. I obviously have quite a bit to catch up, so expect this post to a bit lengthy. But this is what you’ve been waiting for, right? The return of Squid Can? Right?

Yeah, I didn’t actually think so. Regardless, you might be interested to learn of a few changes I’ve made to the site. First, there’s a new author photo. And this one is swell. I’ll be changing the author photo one or two times every month, so keep an eye out for new pics of the goofily smiling asshole who brings the Squid to your doorstep daily. Second, you might have noticed that the navigation bar is now on the right side (to make it look more ‘bloggy’) and that a calendar-styled archive has been added. This way you can find all those posts you hated three months ago and hate them over and over again—but now the hate is only a click away! Third, there’s now a weekly playlist on the navigation bar. Five songs, handpicked by me, every Saturday—how should thee count the ways I love thou?

In regards to the general direction of this site, I’m going to try and post more ‘general’ content and more film, art, and book news. I’m sick of making jokes about Animal Collective/Grizzly Bear/trendy hipster band (though all my references to Moog synthesizers will remain intact). Also, it’s the school year, so you can expect even more ‘wacky’ stories! Hey, you all love those, right? Make no mistake, all the music quasi-coverage you’ve come to love from Squid Can will still be here, but please—enough Grizzly Bear jokes. Seriously. Especially considering I haven’t utilized a single ‘Lesley Gore is a dyke’ joke in my arsenal yet.

If you’re wondering what I’ve been listening to lately (and you can always check my Last.fm), I’m on a total Kate Bush kick along with some hardcore. I was really introduced to Ms. Bush about a year ago, so Hounds of Love automatically recalls the fall for me (aside from the fact that it’s pretty autumnal on its own). I’ve also just ordered The Dreaming on account of the fact that I’ve listened to “Get Out of My House” about forty times in the past two days. Alec Empire and Atari Teenage Riot are also high on my list, and I’ve been getting into Sunny Day Real Estate and Hot Water Music again. In the way of lesser-known bands, check out Laika (spacey, dreamy, not-trip-hop pop), Sex Positions (easy-on-the-ears hardcore), Pram (not quite sure how to describe them beyond ‘experimental’), and Anjulie (slightly alternative pop on Starsbucks’ (yeah, I know) label).

Now, moving onto other oddities and stuff you likely don’t care about. My new ‘thing’ is collecting Iwako erasers, now, I guess? I bought the whale and everyone said, “Wow, cool eraser, Alex,” so in my quest for social acceptance (boo hoo, Boo Radley, etc.) I went out and bought the entire fucking panoply of Japanese erasers (see also: useless big words, dipping into fifteen-year old money, and excessive self-deprecation). Most hilarious was dropping by a hospital gift shop to purchase myself a few treats—though, in all honesty, the three mega-cute frogs I snagged were worth my time.

I’m also running cross country now, which is perfect for people with anemia and an interest in collecting Japanese erasers. And I have Netflix again. I found some great bargains at yard sales this weekend (Dorothy Parker biography for under a buck, an old poetry book, and a photo of the Italian Alps).

That’s about it. So, as you can see, my personal life is still as boring and uninteresting as it was two weeks ago. But I’m happy. And a happy Squid means good posts for y’all folks to enjoy. Speaking of which, there’ll be a review up later today—the first one on the new schedule!

Well, I have to go resist my urge to join Twitter. Happy Labor Day, here’s a free Mp3, stay spunky, et cetera et cetera.

Mp3: "Aphrodite Dear" by Sex Positions

Swimming is fun, Björk is devilspawn,
and hey, there's no Grizzly Bear in
this post

Hmm, news? Do I have any? I do, actually. Let’s see. There’s a crop of new albums coming in late August/September, and I might as well tell you now before I forget.

Exciting
-Out today: Luke Vibert (why was I not informed until this morning? Oh, that’s right, everything on this site was reported on other sites two years ago. Say, anybody hear about that new Radiohead ‘pay what you want’ thing?)
-Aug. 25: Imogen Heap and Shonen Knife
-Sept. 8: Sondre Lerche and Pete Yorn + Scarlett Johansson (very excited for both; no joke)
-Sept. 16: Midaircondo (No word yet on a US release)

Interesting
-Out today: George Strait, Raekwon, Anna Ternheim, Queen Latifah and Patrick Wolf
-Aug. 18: Reba McEntire and Jay Reatard
-Aug. 25: Woody Guthrie (massive compilation from Rounder)
-Sept. 8: Amerie and Yo La Tengo
-Sept. 15: Mariah Carey
-Sept. 22: Why?, They Might Be Giants, and Porcupine Tree

Nobody cares
-Out today: Cobra Starship
-Aug. 18: Lil’ Wayne
-Aug 25: Arctic Monkeys
-Sept. 8: Vivian Girls
-Sep. 14: Muse (album is actually titled The Resistance)
-Sep. 22: Madonna (shoddy greatest hits collection)
-Sep. 29: La Roux (Her hair is slick, but, eh)

So, more news, more news. Last Wednesday, I went with my aunt and cousin to a snazzy swim club and I finally got the meaning of [adult swim] (bear with me). Most obviously, it’s the few hours in the Cartoon Network pool that adults get to enjoy—but, hey, that idea’s been violated by every twelve-year old watching FLCL (myself, admittedly, many moon kingdoms ago). But more importantly, [adult swim] lets adults play in the pool and act like total idiots, tongue-in-cheek—a sentiment shows like Squidbillies and ATHF clearly embody. But, hey, enough serious business. Besides, all the adults at this swim club were all Squidwards about it, and they opted not to go in the water. And while I’m of adult swim age (so lulzy-it’s-painful, amirite?), I was too busy listening to my shitty music to care. Which brings me to this—my recommendations of the week.  read more »

From top to bottom: Chris Martin is god, duh;
a typical day behind-the-scenes at Squid Can;
and Lickitung: platinumized

Sorry I haven't been posting, one-guy-who-may-read-this-blog. I have quite a few things to post, too. So, if this post drops off the main page---ha, just kidding, ya rascals. So let's see, what has happened that I need to put in this post? First off, there's a new Coldplay video about, and it's for "Strawberry Swing". Had I not gone to Rolling Stone to read some shitty biased article and seen an ad for the video, I would not have known about this typical Coldplay-fare. In the video---which you can watch at Babelgum (protip: the video player sucks)---Chris Martin takes on his usual role as the Messiah of All Things Good and Fun and rescues a damsel in distress from an over-sized squirrel. Woah, a beautiful maiden having to be rescued by a man! I've never seen, read, or listened to anything like that anywhere, ever. (I don't need to put sarcasm tags on this stuff, do I?)

WO-MAN, LET DOWN YOUR LOADS! CHRIS MARTIN IS HERE TO SAVE YOU!!!!

Animated, of course, in a style guaranteed to make sensitive young men and women swoon with fever at the sight of the (once again) perfectly-coiffed Martin, there's a notable absence of something in the video. Hmm...what could it be? Oh, I know. There's none of the other band members in the video! Martin, though, has time to give a hug to the video's director (?) at the end, demonstrating his appreciation for the work put into animating entirely in chalk; but more importantly to show that he's just a bro, like everyone else.

Seriously, how can you not be put off by the egotism of this band? I had a whole post bashing the "Viva La Vida" video cooked up around Christmas time, but I never posted it. Perhaps I should?

Happier news: Monday, while browsing in Barnes and Noble, I decided to pick up a comic, which I haven't done in a long while. It was five frigging dollars (funny, I seem to remember them being about $2.50 a few years ago), but it was well worth the price. Marvel has taken up the craft of reinventing some of its earliest characters (1940s) for its 70th anniversary. The book I purchased featured the Blonde Phantom, who, admittedly, is one hell of a blonde crime-fighter compared to Chris Martin. Marc Guggenheim crafts a wonderful half-prose, half-panel story that features the Blonde Phantom solving the mystery of a friend's death, replete with pulpy art and colors thanks to Javier Pulido and Javier Rodriguez. Following the sizzling post-feminist rhetoric that caps off Guggenheim's tale with a bang, readers are presented with one new tale and two reprints of Marvex, the Super Robot. Arguably, the funniest part of this section of the book is when a gang of criminals strap Marvex to an electric chair, only to find he absorbs the bolts whilst smiling. The forties, folks! Pick up the issue if you get a chance.

Finally, my cousin, who is now in his 'Pokemans phase', has started collecting the cards. Since he had a double of a Lickitung card---the latest edition, too, from the Platinum set---I asked if I could have it, considering how many ancient cards I had given him. He was happy to oblige, and I was awfully happy to have a Lickitung in my arms again.

Does this post sound more or less ridiculous than one of the Degrassi ones?

Mp3: "Hematogen" by Morgen Mittag

EDIT: Apparently the Lickitung card is two-years-old and it's from the Secret Wonders set? Whatever, I'm keeping those Platinum jokes; they're golden.

Click on the image for a super-sized version. Press 'Esc' to exit.

Over the past two weeks, you may have been asking yourselves, “Where is Squid? Did he die? Contract swinebird flu ? Or did he watch too much Degrassi, and he has now abandoned the Webs?”

Well, if you were asking yourselves these questions then you’re nosy, and you care too much about other people’s business. Go read a book. But if you were simply content to wait for updates from beneath the sea, then congratulations—you are an Admiral of Coolness.

But let’s see, where have I been? I tried to have a life these past few weeks, and it worked! I spent time with some friends, went on a Vacation to Vermont (photos soon), and took the bus to get groceries (highly exciting; no joke). As is usual during prolonged absences, I managed to get a ton of new music (bargain CDs in Burlington, VT, etc.), and I’ve also been fiddling around with Lala. I’ll put up a link to my profile there as soon as I can find a suitable icon. Aside from pretty cheap Mp3 albums (most top at $7.49), Lala allows you to import your existing Mp3 collection as long as the albums imported are available on Lala. If for some strange reason you want to look through my collection, you can do it here. But just know that it’s not really representative of my Mp3 collection—it doesn’t include the CDs I haven’t ripped, and I’m pretty sure that I don’t own Now 22.

Next on the agenda: vacation stories. (Hey, this is still a culture blog. Sort of.)

Story Un (The official Cabot cheese store)
Woman in early 30s: I like your shirt.
Me: Oh, thanks.
Woman: I saw them live.
Me: …
Woman: Grizzly Bear? The band, right?
Me: Oh, yeah.
Woman: Yeah, nice shirt.

Story Deux (CD rack at a department store)
Old woman: I’m looking for something, can you help me?
Me: Uh, sure.
Old woman: Something with nice melodies.
Me: Frank Sinatra, maybe?
Old woman: No, not that.
Me: Hmm, one min.
…
Me: How about Barry Manilow?
Old woman: (scans the back cover) Ooh, I’ve heard that song. Hmm, this sounds good. I’ll try it. Thank you.
Me: Oh you’re welcome.
Old woman: (Proceeds to tell story about a Floridian tape deck that I don’t get)

Story Tres (Burlington Borders)
Mom: Let’s see George McGovern come up the stairs.
Me: Okay.
(We wait; McGovern enters for a book signing immediately after his posse)
Me: Wow, he’s ancient.
Mom: Yeah, he’s so old.
(People begin to clap)
Me: Do we…do we have to clap?
Mom: Nah. Let’s go.

Anything else about me for this post? Let’s see. I’ve been drinking tea heavily lately. And I’m reading My Ántonia. I’m also listening to about 100 songs a day now. Wow, this blog is boring as shit.

So what’s coming to Squid Can? Well, I had some time-sensitive (read: MJ-related) material I wanted to post, but I didn’t really write it, so it’s pretty much a moot point now. I do still have another feature in the works that I want to post as soon as I finish it. I have some reviews backed up—among them Amiina, Chris Clark, and Lesley Gore—as well a few book review things I need to get working on. And there’s also a decent amount of photos coming up. So, in short: more stuff, soon. I hope to start posting on a daily basis and really start canvassing this blog around the web; hopefully by September I should be on some sort of posting schedule. I also have some more creative projects that I’m planning; I hope to have some doodles/ideas up by August. Speaking of which, note the Mira Calix-Doris Day combo sketch at right. Pretty postmodern, huh?

Did you read this entire post? This whole, sprawling post of ridiculousness? You deserve a treat. Here are some songs I’ve been digging. This isn’t really a mixtape, but don’t worry; I have one of those on the way. Enjoy, and remember—me love you long time.

Downloads
Doris Day— It Could Happen to You
Death By Chocolate— Zap the World Chorus
Nat King Cole— On the Sunny Side of the Street
Mira Calix— Daydreaming at Night

Oh, and OH MY GOD THERE’S A NEW AUTHOR PHOTO.

And the site may be slow. I'm workin' on it.

P.S. If you notice some slightly differences in the site design (such as the download formatting above), I'm trying to get things set so Squid Can be beautiful. Like City Beautiful, except more obscure and without the anti-immigrant angle.

Not to brag, folks, but wow—what a great day I’m having! Well, up until losing the draft of this post that I had been working back on forth on for two hours, but whatever. Things are simply too Grizz to get me down. I imagine this is what Jorge Luis Borges woke up feeling like everyday. “Aargh, where will I be cool and postmodern today?” Last night was actually sort of a family ‘crisis’, hence I ended up babysitting my cousin. Around bedtime, he wanted to play catch, so I put some Autechre on before I said to myself, “Wut?” I promptly rectified the problem by playing the latest Lullatone. That ending up helping, as he fell asleep to the half-Japanese duo’s raindrop-like beats. When my aunt came home, she was like, ‘lol Yanni’, but hey, dat Lullatone—they can lull dem kids to sleep. When I wasn’t subjecting my young cousin to Ambient 101, I watched some TV. I managed to catch the abysmal Spy Kids 3, which, as it happens, stars Elijah Wood in a minor role. I looked up his biography again, and apparently, he likes Aphex Twin? He even has a favorite song? You can browse his celebrity playlist at ElijahNet (not joking; that’s the actual website name). I also managed to catch Destroy Build Destroy, its host being none other than ANDREW W.K. So all you partay ppl go watch that right now.

Yet today was seven times better than playing around to EP7. Things got off to a good start at the local Girl Scouts-sponsored thrift sale at the local soup kitchen, where I snagged legal, older versions—I’m talking fresh codes and all—of PhotoShop, Illustrator, and InDesign for under a buck. Three years ago, I would have blown my top over something like this, but now I’m just content with the fact that I probably saved over $2,000. I haven’t been much into making art as of late, but now that I have Illustrator, who knows? Maybe I can draw some Egon Schiele/Robert Mapplethorpe hybrid-nudes or something. What really put a smile on my face was the pair of vintage children’s keyboards I got for a buck a piece. Pics coming soon. I know you wanna see ‘em.

Afterwards, I went to the consignment shop (I had to walk across the parking lot, in my new Grizzly Bear tee; but don’t worry, guyz, even though it’s a black shirt I wasn’t hot cuz da design is printed on an American Apparel track shirt, fyi), where a nice man chatted with me about vinyl. “Ya collect vinyl?” he asked. “No, I need a record player first,” I said. “Looking for an old one?” he asked. “ Old or new. Whatever works,” I said. “Yeah, I like vinyl,” he said. I like little conversations like that (a woman at the bus stop the other day started discussing the Pixies with me).

Then, returning to the Girl Scout sale again, I bought some books (like I need more), and, even better, EVEN BETTER—a Troll piggy bank with pink hair (1991, thus semi-vintage). And by ‘Troll’ I mean ‘troll doll’—the oft-unclothed creatures with hair in RADICAL, NON-CONFORMIST COLORS! Not web trolls or Harry Potter trolls or IRL-trolls (see: beastly-people), but fun trolls—the kind that Mimi used to have on Drew Carey’s show (thanks, WikiPedia). So I washed my Troll, shampooed his hair, et cetera, and then I combed his hair on the outside porch, hoping some cute girls would come by. “HaHoHa,” one would laugh, before saying, “Mayhaps that be your troll?” To which I would respond, “Verily, my troll this be.” She would eye the troll one more time before approving of him. “A good trollkeeper you are,” she would say, and then move on. But that didn’t happen.

Finally, when I got home, my BoC tee was waiting in the mail. It’s extra skinny fit for a pseudo-Biafran such as myself. So, as of now, life under the sea is pretty decent. What’s that song about life in the sea? Well, it’s not this song.

Download "Bats Over the Pacific Ocean" by Jaguar Love (via Matador)

Man, nothing better than listening to Botch at 6 in the morn. Lately, Animal Collective has been spurring me to reach my running goals (to think--a shining Panda Bear, waiting at the end of the bike path), but today I decided to try something a little different. Since my Mp3 player broke (see previous 'All about me' posts), I had to dig out my old RCA Lyra so I could have some music with me when I run. Well, there were some Mp3s still left on there---most of them pretty crappy, but I did find some old gems I hadn't taken much interest in before. Three years ago I wasn't much into Japanese breakbeat---hell, I didn't even know what it was---but once Riow Arai's impressive broken jazz came on after a nice mix of BoC and Botch, I decided it was pretty swell for a morning run (wut). His music is definitely made for a modern, ultra-utopian sort of environment. Perfect for late-night drives, or maybe for driving off that hangover July 4th?

Also on the bike path, I saw a woman who looked like St. Vincent, hence the poorly-shooped and mostly irrelevant image to the right. Coming home today, I realized that, in the summer heat, it's nice to just lay on the couch like a total skid, turn on some Hot Water Music or whatever, and imagine that my arms are covered in tattoos and that I spent the whooole night moshing. But I can sweat my ass off at home or on the bus, writing reviews of said screamo bands with a steaming laptop on my lap. So y'all can look forward to a slew of hardcore, screamo, et cetera reviews in the upcoming weeks. Because there's nothing better than skids in the summertime.

Finally, my Grizzly Bear tee came in the mail today. YEAHHHHHHHHHHH, INDIE KIDZ 4EVA!!

Download "Inter" by Riow Arai
Download "The Strangers" by St. Vincent (via 4AD)
Download "Two Weeks" (Live on Letterman) by Grizzly Bear (via Grizzly-Bear.net)

P.S. Michael Jackson is dead.

Look, everyone! New buttons! In a new order! To make navigation a hassle! Just kidding. Considering that like three people visit this site, I figured a change of graphics was in order. I've also organized them a bit more logically, grouping them by category---news, reviews, music downloads, video stuff, and so on. SO if you're wondering where these snazzy new images came from (though I can't really see anyone giving a crap), here's a list:

-The album reviews picture is of Madonna (previous one was of Bjork)
-The book reviews picture is Lady in a Green Jacket by August Macke
-The Mp3 picture is also by August Macke; it's called Russian Ballet
-The mixtapes picture was drawn by me (2007)
-The 'TV' picture is from Time Transfixed by Rene Magritte
-The 'photographs' button features the 122nd untitled film still by Cindy Sherman
-"Art" and "All about me" feature Japanese Pokemon cards

So, less boring news. Well, maybe even more boring. I have a few reviews almost completed, so expect this post drop off the front page pretty quickly. I also just received Yellow House in the mail, so you can expect a review of that in the next few weeks.

But I have a more pressing matter to attend to: the massive amount of Degrassi I watched last night. You see, I've been going to bed early, but when I saw that season six was airing in its entirety, I realized that the episode where JT dies would be airing. I decided to stay up and watch it, and...things just worsened from there. It's gotten to the point where I can identify not only each character on screen, but who each of those characters dated. Also, as lulzy as that screencap may be, JT's death in context was the sadness. Like, The Fame. Except it was The Sadness.

Wow. If Robert Christgau visited this blog right now, he'd give it a dud. Now, excuse me, but I have some Paige drama to catch up on. Alex can't go on stripping forever to support her deadbeat mom!

Download "Cheerleader" by Grizzly Bear (via Grizz-Webs)

P.S. Don't worry about that guy that killed JT. He went to jail.

A few weeks ago, my Dish was upgraded from like the 1997 version to the 'New and Improved' model, which has made it much easier for me to waste time with extra channels like Nicktoons, Boomerang, and the N. You see, whereas on my old Dish, the N and Noggin were one channel, on this Dish package they're two separate channels. Do you know what that means? I can watch Little Bear and Degrassi at the same time. THE SAME TIME.

Since the weather has blown lately (Oooo, what a pun), I've been inside, tapping away my keyboard, writing reviews and so on. When I'm not listening to Bjork remixes, the TV is on, and I've digested quite a bit of Degrassi lately. See those crappy screencaps at the right? They doing anything for ya? They should be, as those screencaps recount the crucial moment when Paige came to Alex's door, professing her Etheridigian love in the most wholesome way possible on pre-primetime teenager's TV.

I also had the opportunity today to watch the Disney made-for-TV movie Up, Up, and Away, starring George Jefferson Sherman Hemsley as the Steel Condor. But the real focus of the movie is on his character's grandson who, despite not having superpowers like the rest of his family, still manages to save the day! There's this cool earthy girl who tries to brainwash children with hardcore eco-propaganda, this girl who looks like Carly Simon, and the lovable 'sidekick' who jokes and is sooo white. But all in all, it was an enjoyable film. I was critical for about five minutes before I started to enjoy it.

One more thing:

"HEY I'M ELI-JAH, I'M GONNA SHOW YOU HOW TO DO MY DANCEY-DANCE!" begins the most postmodern preschooler's TV segment in recent memory:

I don't know anything about Elijah Wood (maybe I've seen a movie starring him?), except that he has cool facial hair/clothing in this video, and that's he super-short. But: do I need to know anything beyond that to know that this video is awesome? I think not. I mean, look at those monsters. Happy monstaz.

And, also, Yo Gabba Gabba reminds me of Lullatone, albeit more electrotrash than ambient lullabies. You see, Lullatone thinks they are too good for Yo Gabba Gabba. Frigging Lullatone. They better get their act together.

Oh, btw, JT dies.

Oops, gtg guys, my fave degrassi ep is on. Da one wid the paedophile blog drama (but not that original one; dis is the one specifically about a blog) <3 <3 <3 <3 See ya!!!

Listen to the new Lullatone album, Songs That Spin in Circles at Last.fm

Well, my Creative Zen finally died, after a year of use. Thursday morning, while getting ready for my 5 AM run (see the new 'About Me' section; I know you haven't read it yet), I was all set to run to the fantastically pompous synthpop of FM Belfast when pfft, pop, patoop. That was the end. Goodnight, sweet prince. You will be missed. Thankfully, however, I had bought a CD player on Wednesday at the Salvation Army---because, you know, retro is innnn. Well, not that CD players are retro. But you watch. I'll be ahead of all the trends.

Then, last night, I went for a short walk with my new CD buddy, eagerly moving along to Bjork's "Enjoy." What's humorous is that, while walking beneath some street lamps, I felt like I was coming back from a Portishead Fan-Club Meeting circa 1995. CD player + Post + neo-film-noir = A five-Lickitung night.

And as if I didn't look cool enough already, toting around a Koss CD player with Post spinning around inside, I ordered some BoC and Grizzly Bear t-shirts last week. Still waiting for them to come in---both were out of stock---but I assure you, I will be the coolest Squid in town. Maybe. I mean, all the kids in my part of New England all wear Hollister and that shit. So at least I'm in the running for Koolest Indie Kid!

Finally, I've changed the icons on the site to something a bit more summery---pirates! And speaking of pirates, here's an unofficial Bjork remix for ya.

Download "Enjoy" (Speed in There Mix) (via Sunday in the Park)

PS: The fancy new icons come courtesy of Iconbuffet. Just thought ya should know. And also, look at dat Bear. Dat Christopher Bear. In dat Grizzly Bear promo pic. Ain't he an awkwardly handsome fella? No wonder der is a band named afta him.

There's an entirely new bio about little ole me up at the 'About the Author' page. You should check it out if you're super-kawaii. Whatever that means. If you're too lazy to click the link at the top of the page, here's another link.

Also, while a friend assures that Seattle-based post-hardcore outfit These Arms Are Snakes are merely ' stupid scene kids,' I think dey is alright. After listening to "Big News" (free on Last.fm), I said to myself, "Dese lads make good musik. I shud pick me up sum of dis, der music." So I ordered Oxeneers or the Lion Sleeps When Its Antelope Go Home on Amazon (used, of course, as I'm a bargain hunter; but you would've known that already if you had read the NEW BIO), and I eagerly await its arrival at my little doorstep. Well, mailbox. But it sure would be wonderful if it came on the doorstep.

Download "Big News" (via Last.fm)

P.S. Did you find the pun? Email me at aj[at]squidcan.com if you did and I'll send you a gift. Really.

So I decided to be a not-total bum and wake up early today. So I went to the supermarket at 7 AM, and let me tell you, it was SOUPER AMAZING. I figured I could bring along my Mp3 player, since, you know, there wouldn't be the usual surplus of old people/crotchety middle-aged people staring at me. Thing's got off to a good start with Panda Bear's "Comfy in Nautica," followed by Mrs. Miller's rendition of "The Girl from Ipanema" whilst passing the frozen cakes aisle. And Mint Royale's "Singin' in the Rain" playing at the fresh pasta section? Just fantastic.

The best moment, though, was searching for meat tortellini while listening to Aphex Twin's "Tassels." It was actually a lot less disconcerting than it sounds. What was creepier was hearing Anja Garbarek's "The Gown" in the parking lot. I felt like I was going to be gunned down by some Norwegian gangster.

Also fun: seeing a woman who looked like Suze Orman hassle with her debit card at the self-checkout. Irony equals lulz, folks.

But music? In your supermarkets? You should try it some time.

Download "Tassels" (via Fileden)

You know what? I never blog about little ole me. It's always "Animal Collective this" or "Postmodern feminism that" or "Bjork Bjork Bjork such and such." So for once, why not a little something about the face behind the squid?

So I'm in New Hampshire for a doctor's appointment, and as I type this IMMA LIVEBLOGGIN FROM PANERA CAFE. YEAHHH, FEEL THE INTERWEBS AGE.

Anyhow, I went to Borders and was browsing The Brothers Karamazov (pretentious douche much?) when I saw I Love You Beth Cooper right beneath it, and I said to myself, "Why?"

Well, actually, I guess that's it. I'm more boring than I thought. Here's an mp3 and a video. Back to writing postmodern reviews of Beth Orton records.*

*Just kidding, I'll leave that to Pitchfork.

Download "Down Satan Down" by Alec Empire (via Megaupload)

Friend: hey, u arent allowed to easter.
Me: yes i am
Me: I MADE A MIXTAPE
Friend: you can not partake in the eastering.
friend:you pagan shithed
Me: FAIR ENUFF
Friend: did you use a track off of These Arms Are Snake's "Easter" ? (no because you dont know them because you arent the post-hxc master you claim to be)

My apologies, folks. Enjoy "Horse Girl" from Easter below.

Download "Horse Girl" (via Last.fm)