Crocodiles
Summer Of Hate

Although the decade of my childhood and early adolescence, remembering it doesn't provoke any nostalgic feelings in me, much less feelings linked to a hypothetical "return to childhood". The scattered images that emerge are as follows: the bratty kids with a Milanese accent in Mattel commercials, Bonolis on Bim Bum Bam, the Drive-In and its floozies (also the progenitors of today's showgirls), Jerry Calà and Massimo Boldi, rolled-up pants, Timberlands and all those damned brands, Craxi, Spadolini, Capanna, and much more. Needless to say, my view is an almost stereotypical generalization, as there is no "better" decade than another.

Shifting the focus to music, I have even more issues. While admitting the validity of many musical trends born in the '80s, I'm still stunned by the other side of the coin: the reevaluation of much rubbish that was evident even to an 11-year-old child at the time. Kajagoogoo, Rick Hastley, Spandau Ballet, and other junk. Reevaluation whose damages will become very clear soon, when they serve you up the new lo-fi ultra underground supergroup that draws inspiration from none other than Snap. And then the world will end, but that’s another story.

Awaiting this scheduled Apocalypse, I decided to try approaching the subject of “’80s revival” with the necessary caution. After 4/5 failed attempts, listens of which I barely remember the names, I came across the Crocodiles, a duo from San Diego, who instead of doing surf or folk noise as is usual in the area, sound like Suicide playing like Jesus & Mary Chain. What surprises me even more, is how I manage to tolerate (almost enjoy, I’d say) the drum, “that '80s drum” all reverb that runs through “I Wanna Kill”.

A qualitative average, in my opinion, high with songs of immediate appeal, with the pros and cons of the case: the drugged advance and the looped ending of “Flash Of Light”, the Spacemen 3 style lullabies of “Here Comes The Sky” and “Sleeping With The Lord”, the studded pop of the single “Neon Jesus” and the perfectly off-kilter pop song which is “Soft Skull (In My Room)”

Not recommended for anyone who has even minimal knowledge of the late ‘80s, shoegaze included. Meaning everyone except myself (who indeed appreciates it).