Squid Lid

Theatrical meets dance floor. The notion isn't absurd in the least in this climate, where putting on a show seems to place right beside quality of music nowadays. Toronto, ON's Squid Lid, the twisted offspring produced by James Fisher (a schooled pianist and composer) and Jonah K (a producer and DJ), have taken theatrics, at least audibly, to heart on their debut full-length, Steam Powered Submarine. It's a foray into the post-apocalyptic landscape the disc houses, showcasing the chaotic distortions running rampant in the minds of its creators. To their credit, Squid Lid have done a remarkable job mixing in the ordinary in a most understated way. Running water dilutes into scattered, haunting echoes at the conclusion of "Waterwheel Waltz," while "Moustache Whacks" plays heavily on the industrial side, the warbling intro giving way to dirty, gutted bass and frenetic synths, finally building on riotous percussion and dissolving into disquieting, ethereal tones. The entire album is a tumultuous run that begs a second and third listen to capture and decipher the chaos.