CD Review: Soundtrack - The Squid And The Whale

The soundtrack to The Squid and The Whale is similar to what you would find in a Wes Anderson movie, a disk filled with sixties and seventies singer/songwriters, some that defined New York’s music scene of the time, and a strange feeling of nostalgia for a time and scene that you were, most likely, not involved in. The Squid and The Whale’s differences are in the overall tone of the music. Rather than provide one of the upbeat Velvet Underground tunes, or a popular Paul Simon track, we’re granted Lou Reed’s “Street Hassle”, an eleven minute song following a young couple torn apart by a heroin overdose. Much of the disk follows this route. Loudon Wainwright III provides the bitter “Lullaby” and Bert Jansch’s “Courting Blues” is basted in despair. The best emotion this soundtrack offers is hopefulness, and that seems to be enough to keep me listening to it again and again.

Between the somber tracks are carefully placed carefree tunes. “Let’s Go,” by The Feelies and “Holland Tunnel” by John Phillips keep the pace going and allow the listener to tap their fingers a bit. “Figure Eight,” an old School House Rock song by Blossom Dearie, and the cover of Pink Floyd’s “Hey You” by Dean Wareham, are applicable to the movie, but feel out of place next to the rest of the soundtrack.

The Squid and The Whale’s soundtrack is a strong accompaniment to a great movie, but most likely won’t appeal to those simply looking for a good road trip mix tape. The songs are as sad and cynical as Noah Baumbach’s work, which inevitably means that you’ll fall in love with most of them, regardless of how much they hurt to listen to.

Article tags

Spread the word
Bookmark and Share
Read comments on this article, and add some feedback of your own
  • No image found
  • No image found
  • No image found

Article comments

  • 1 - kiki

    Apr 18, 2006 at 1:10 am

    what is the song that the girl is singing at the school??? laser in the night it sounds like?? do you know who sings this??? thanks! it is bugging me!

  • 2 - Tara

    Sep 24, 2010 at 3:40 pm

    It's Kyrie by Mr. Mister (it was bugging me too!).

    Chorus lyrics:
    'Kyrie Eleison
    Down the road that I must travel
    Kyrie Eleison
    Through the darkness of the night
    Kyrie Eleison
    Where I'm going will you follow
    Kyrie Eleison
    On a highway in the light'

Add your comment, speak your mind

Personal attacks are NOT allowed.
Please read our comment policy.
Please preview your comment.

blogcritics lists for Feb 13, 2012

fresh articles Most recent articles site-wide

fresh comments Most recent comments site-wide

most comments Most comments in 24hrs

top writers Most prolific Blogcritics for January

top commenters Most prolific Commenters in 24 hrs