Crocodile just released their second album, "Howling Mad Black Music Under Hot Stars." About twenty months removed from their debut release, the band describes this latest addition to their catalog as a "prog album comprised of love songs." Seems a trifle odd...a bit like describing the federal government as a nurturing entity. As the saying goes however; the proof is in the pudding. So let's grab a bowl of custard and drop a laser on that disc...
The festivities begin with "Dark Inverted Jubilee." The upbeat tempo as the curtain peels back is reminiscent of Transatlantic with top notes of Steely Dan. Vocals blend smoothly with guitars that throw a velvet punch and keyboards that tease just enough to pique your interest. Crocodile has picked up where they left off; time to take this listening party a bit deeper...
"The Genie (in full flower)" is the next serving, and the mood continues to be upbeat--despite the macabre tension lurking in the background. Crocodile makes music that makes me feel safe, unaware that Pennywise the clown is lurking behind the not-quite-closed-tight closet door...
There is an ELO meets Gentle Giant vibe coursing through this tune...here come those bright colors splattered on a frayed canvas...
Liner Notes...making their home in Austin TX, the current line-up of Crocodile is Kevin Sims on guitar and vocals, Ted Thomas on bass and vocals, Thomas Shaw on keyboards and vocals, and Greg Seale on drums.
Their first album, "His Name Is Stan And He's A Bad Motherf**cker" was released in February 2018. This, their second release, hit the Internet just weeks ago. One personnel change between albums isn't bad; some bands never survive the rush of the first release and the madness and mayhem that causes egos to explode. Still others melt down because album #1 was the dream and there was no long-term plan or focus.
Crocodile is different...their path seems well defined, and combined with the talent coming through the headphones, I expect the prog garden will be filled with more music from this quartet. Despite their penchant for long album titles, the music cuts right to the chase. Soft grooves on one cut bootlegging into hard driving guitar on the next make Crocodile a challenge to categorize and a joy to listen to.
You can purchase both of the band's albums at their website Crocodile and at Bandcamp. They can also be found on Facebook and Twitter @crocodileatx.
The final song for review this week is the first cut on the album,
"(Arrival) Small Eden." The opening takes me back to Spirit and their fresh approach to the prog garden at the time. Sounding like an "in the moment" improv jam session, this is a song to simply fall headlong into. Kevin's guitar leads the keyboards masterfully across the gentler acreage of the prog garden until the song wraps up and he decides to make statement of his own...and all the while Greg is the drum major, keeping everyone focused and on point.
Your ear worm this week is "Avis Ender," the final cut on the album. This one starts out clean and crisp, a bit like latter-day Jethro Tull. Tom's keyboards sit back from the crowd on this piece but are oh, so essential--like the all the nutrients hiding in that power bar...you don't taste 'em but you do feel a surge of energy. Turn this one up a bit and be glad there are bands that refuse to be categorized...
"The Genie (in full flower)" is the next serving, and the mood continues to be upbeat--despite the macabre tension lurking in the background. Crocodile makes music that makes me feel safe, unaware that Pennywise the clown is lurking behind the not-quite-closed-tight closet door...There is an ELO meets Gentle Giant vibe coursing through this tune...here come those bright colors splattered on a frayed canvas...
Liner Notes...making their home in Austin TX, the current line-up of Crocodile is Kevin Sims on guitar and vocals, Ted Thomas on bass and vocals, Thomas Shaw on keyboards and vocals, and Greg Seale on drums.
Their first album, "His Name Is Stan And He's A Bad Motherf**cker" was released in February 2018. This, their second release, hit the Internet just weeks ago. One personnel change between albums isn't bad; some bands never survive the rush of the first release and the madness and mayhem that causes egos to explode. Still others melt down because album #1 was the dream and there was no long-term plan or focus.Crocodile is different...their path seems well defined, and combined with the talent coming through the headphones, I expect the prog garden will be filled with more music from this quartet. Despite their penchant for long album titles, the music cuts right to the chase. Soft grooves on one cut bootlegging into hard driving guitar on the next make Crocodile a challenge to categorize and a joy to listen to.
You can purchase both of the band's albums at their website Crocodile and at Bandcamp. They can also be found on Facebook and Twitter @crocodileatx.
The final song for review this week is the first cut on the album,"(Arrival) Small Eden." The opening takes me back to Spirit and their fresh approach to the prog garden at the time. Sounding like an "in the moment" improv jam session, this is a song to simply fall headlong into. Kevin's guitar leads the keyboards masterfully across the gentler acreage of the prog garden until the song wraps up and he decides to make statement of his own...and all the while Greg is the drum major, keeping everyone focused and on point.
Your ear worm this week is "Avis Ender," the final cut on the album. This one starts out clean and crisp, a bit like latter-day Jethro Tull. Tom's keyboards sit back from the crowd on this piece but are oh, so essential--like the all the nutrients hiding in that power bar...you don't taste 'em but you do feel a surge of energy. Turn this one up a bit and be glad there are bands that refuse to be categorized...
One of the many reasons I continue the search for all things prog and bring new music to you is the fun of finding bands that make it. Hundreds, if not thousands of bands release a demo, EP, or a first album. The challenge is getting your sound heard and appreciated--and then putting out album number two. Here I am already looking forward to album number three from these guys. How big the Crocodile catalog gets depends on how long the desire to keep doing what they're doing lasts...hopefully the fire burns for quite a while.
So once again fellow progheads the sand has fallen through the hourglass. The search for all things prog found a true gem this week and I hope you enjoy this album as much as I have. Getting into the prog garden requires a bit of luck and an adult dose of determination; staying requires grit, thick skin, a strong will, and a little thing called talent. The journey continues...until next time...
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