Crocodile Shop returned earlier this
year with their 4th full length, Everything is Dead and Gone.
Still driven by Mick Hale, Crocodile Shop have taken their sound one step
further and managed to jack up the complexity of their overall sound. From the
first track, Useless, to the 13 minute finale, Thirteen, Crocodile
Shop never allow their sound to be come static or predictable. Useless is a
highly intelligent dance piece with metallic and wet rhythm elements, aggressive
beat programming, subdued / semi-robotic sounding vocals, and crisp synth
sounds. As Useless fades out, Trackovtime kicks in with a hearty beat,
bubbly, analogue sounding sequences, and Mick's semi-robotic vocals. Like most
of the tracks on this CD, Trackovtime never grows stale and as the listener we
are constantly treated to new sounds as the song progresses. Core is a
less belligerent piece in which Mick's vocals are much more prominent against
the backdrop of subdued rhythmic elements, relaxed synths, and rolling beats.
Leaning more towards the realm of intelligent dance music, Martyr sports
fantastic, trippy beat and limited, soft vocals. Equally as impressive beat-wise
is Passion. This track has a slight drum -n- bass feel to it and brings
to mind the sound of one of Mick's side-projects, D!v!s!ion #9 combined
with the intensely complex sequencing of Crocodile Shop. With its gyrating
beats, Hostages delivers a hip-hop flavor to the Croc Shop sound.
Claim was my immediate favorite for two simple reasons; 1) Mick's smooth and
unaltered vocal delivery and 2) the intense, Swamp Terrorists style break
that slams into the middle of the track, giving it an entirely new sound and
style. The final track, Thirteen, is a ½ experimental / ½ electro track that
intertwines several of the musical elements explored on the previous 12 tracks.
This track, clocking in at 13 minutes, will take the listener on a journey
through the corridors of the new Crocodile Shop sound. I have always been a fan
of Croc Shop, but only a fair weather one at times. I can honestly say that now,
after listening to Everything is Dead and Gone over 30 times, I have crossed
over and am now a die-hard, dedicated supporter of their cause!
METROPOLIS RECORDS
P.O. Box 54307
Philadelphia, PA 19105
e-mail: metropol@voicenet.com
METROPOLIS homepage:
http://www.voicenet.com/~metropol
Crocodile Shop are:
Ra Werner/ V. Marcus / Mick Hale
Crocodile Shop homepage:
http://members.aol.com/crocshop/index.html