As I stated in my previous review of Vampire Weekend's "Diane Young", artistic change in a band isn't always needed and sometimes a continuation of a band's characteristic sound works in the interest of the band. Not to say all bands should stay the same, its often refreshing to hear artists try something new and a bonus when it rivals older material. There is a middle ground however where a band may go to change their sound whilst trying (or accidentally) to retain their trademark flavour. Crocodiles, with their latest single "Cockroach" (from the album Crimes Of Passion to be released in fall this year), may have accidentally found themselves within this territory, and often where a band begins to fade away into obscurity.
It's not that "Cockroach" is a particularly bad song as such, it just feels a little uninspired. The San Diego band, tipped to be the next big indie thing back in 2009, have had some good songs in their defence. The James Ford (of Simian Mobile Disco fame) produced album Sleep Forever was an enjoyable affair with particularly cool single "Mirrors" giving the band a bit of a popularity boost. Of course though, as is always the way, comparisons to the band's psychedelic noise pop influences (namely of The Jesus & Mary Chain and Echo & The Bunnymen) always stood in the way of a potentially great band forging their own unique reputation. "Cockroach" however is business as usual seeing the band revel in gritty guitars, thin organ and lo fi vocals they've always been associated with. Perhaps less of a lo fi insistence could see what is a fair song live up to its potential but as singer Brandon Welchez groans "Maybe I was sleeping but I'm certainly not done" I think I could sleep blissfully ignorant of the new album and to be honest, its a real shame.
The album Crimes Of Passion will be available in August on Fat Possum Records.
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