Last year I completely and utterly fell for a band from Los Angeles that had only one song. It wasn’t a full song; it was just a demo. This is a frequent pattern I launch myself into. I don’t mind though. It is better than missing out on incredible talent.
This band I fell madly for is called LA Witch. Three exquisite female musicians from LA making stunning noise to shock the nervous system in ways you never thought were possible. I’ve not written anything in some time; I’m not sure why. I think it is because any time I’ve tried to, I’ve thought “No Olivia..just stop.” Then I was sent LA Witch’s debut EP by the band and it all changed. Something clicked as I hit play and listened to LA Witch’s debut EP. They ignited something the first time around, so it is no surprise that they’ve done it again.
Before I tell you about the songs, you should know who they’ve worked with on this exceptional EP. On the EP, the band have worked with Joel Jerome (from Dios Malos and Babies On Acid) and Lucy Miyaki (Tashaki Miyaki and Stone Darling.) Working with greatness means it is no surprise that they have created something truly remarkable, and I can only hope that are hugely proud of themselves. Without delving into “proud parent” mode; I am massively proud of how far they have come from having just one song (Your Way) to an EP with so much fight and determination. This is why I love them.
You Love Nothing is a hazy state of bliss that makes you want to do nothing but listen on repeat. I’d quite happily spend the summer listening to just this record, just this song. LA Witch are the feral cats of the West Coast music scene. They’ll stir something inside of you, and when they do- just know, nothing will be the same ever again. All that was once dull will no longer matter.
Get Lost has a haunting 80s vibe to it. Sort of like The Jesus And Mary Chain meets Noothgrush; but a lot calmer. The fuzzy tones and distorted vocals really justify my love for LA Witch. Then you’ve got the relaxed bluesy feel of Heart Of Darkness. This is like The Long Wives meets Cat Power and they go on a road trip with The Kills. Basically, it’s an astounding EP that deserves to be heard. It needs to be heard.
Tonight is their last show as part of a residency at the Silverlake Lounge. Anyone who’s caught the band live will know just how brilliant their live sets are. I’ve yet to witness it, but I firmly believe it is nothing short of perfect. Silverlake Lounge is one of the many homes on the West Coast that backs new music, and to have LA Witch have a residency there is something truly special.
LA Witch give you what you need. Whether you want something dreamy or eerie- they’ve got it, and it is all over their debut EP. Make sure you check it out.
“Picking off what’s left of the rest of us, And selling it off to the wolves.”
As I started listening to Designer Mutts, I was distracted by something utterly hateful and vile. There’s small-minded pricks out there who have made a page on Facebook called “Ban Islam.” It is a pity you cannot ban small-minded and disgusting people; such as those who made the page and also those who agree with it. It just made me dislike people even more than I wish to. It was heart breaking to see photos of a young Muslim man praying and vile creatures taking it upon themselves to make vicious comments. What hope do we have? Maybe we truly have none left. I don’t think I can put into words how angry this has made me feel. Thing is, people will always have these warped views. For now there is nothing we can do. For now.
Moving on to something a lot less harmful; Designer Mutts are two lads from my favourite Australian band, Royal Chant. The lyrics to their songs are perfect. I’m obviously going to say this because I have massive love for lyrics. I read the lyrics to the songs before I hit play. The thing is, it isn’t the words they write but the way Mark sings them. He sings them in a way that causes you to immediately connect and feel as if it is YOUR life he’s singing about. Maybe he is. I feel that way whenever I listen to Royal Chant, and also Designer Mutts. There’s a wealth of frustration in the songs that is infectious in the most pleasing way imaginable. These songs were made for you to scream along to in your room, without caring if anyone hears. Maybe you want them to hear your frustrations also; get them to join in. Designer Mutts aren’t made for sacred listening. They are made for you to play as loudly as possible.
The essence of hopelessness is something I really love in the songs. To some that may sound morbid, but when you’re from a place that lacks culture and ambition- these are the kind of songs that save you. Fortunately, some of us are able to leave. The best part of leaving a place that has drained you behind is knowing that you never have to look back. When something or someone destroys you, all you can do it rebuild. Nothing nor no one is worth being a wreck over. Music heals, music is the truth.
My favourite track off their debut release, A Day At The Wauchope Racesis a song called Unrecognizable Blues. I adore the pissed off sound in Mark’s vocals. The lyrics alone stand tall, but his voice just seriously makes it. Designer Mutts play with such fury and fight. You cannot help but feel they are in the midst of leading you into a revolution (or maybe a resolution) and you stand in front of them echoing their thoughts and words. This is how powerful they are. This is how powerful music can be, and should be.
I find it easy to write about them because to me, they’re more than a band. They’re friends. Friends I’ve yet to meet (distance is a pain!) but I’ve read some of the things Mark has written. As a lyricist and just on his blog, and it is like someone has ripped my thoughts out and put them down in an eloquent manner with a touch of rebellion.
Designer Mutts doesn’t deserve to be compared to Royal Chant. Some of the same members are in the band, but that’s it. Completely different otherwise. I guess though, one other thing they have in common in this honesty in the songs. An honesty that is rare. These guys aren’t afraid to bare their soul and let every feeling; regardless of how ugly it is, be known. Their debut release is something I hope they are deeply proud of, I know I am.
Creepy sounding Garage Rock is my favourite. Such as The Gruesomes to Scotland’s finest, The Creeping Ivies. If it creeps me out and has a Garage Rock feel to it, I’ll fall in love with it. If it doesn’t make me feel like I’m in 2013 (and what a shit time to be in) then I’ll be a loving fan for as long as time will allow me.
Mikey & The Drags are a bold yet sensual Garage Rock band that will make the most stiff-jointed person throw their limbs about in a flailing fashion; the pleading vocals and thrashing instrumentals are all played with such vigor, which places them miles in front of anyone else trying to do this style. They make music that is effortlessly rambunctious, every note is a pleasurable punch to the face. You cannot help but declare yourself as their biggest fan as soon as you’ve heard the first few seconds of Spill Your Guts. If I had any musical talent, this is the kind of music I’d want to make. Immediately influential; enough to make you wish you had some musical talent. I listen with frustration and the desire to create something. Yet all I can do is write about how fantastic Mikey & The Drags are, somehow that seems enough. For now.
They play with such power and with a purpose. They play with such bite that you cannot help but be in awe as soon as you hear them. Every time I hear music like this I wish I was a million miles away from where I am or back in a time where this style of music was everywhere. By everywhere I mean basement bars that had questionable health and safety regulations. Back to a time where music had some rawness to it; fortunately we have Mikey & The Drags to kick up a storm and are making something of worth.
A lot of bands that fall into the Garage Rock genre seem to want to play ridiculously fast, causing you to not really appreciate the music as much as you’d like. I’m all for playing as loud and as fast as you can- but Mikey & The Drags seem to have really captured the true essence of Garage Rock yet made the genre their own. Not many can do that, and if they do they sometimes get it wrong. Mikey & The Drags do it so perfectly and brilliantly.
Their songs may be short, but they have that unity feel that is seen in bands such as New York Dolls to The Vagrants. They have a gang vibe to their music. They dress exquisitely; everything just fits their sound wonderfully, which makes everything they do seem so effortless. They aren’t trying to be a certain way just to be “cool.” No one is cool, it’s a redundant phrase. Unless you’re Lou Reed, then it exists. Other than that, we’re just the disciples of him aching to be as poetic. Fortunately Mikey & The Drags have got it right. This is ferocious and fearless music as its best; much-needed and massively appreciated.
I think I need to start some kind of petition to get them to the UK or maybe someone could send me to America to see them. Either option is fine by me.
Play as loud as you can and let your limbs be wild and free. They unleash all that’s been dormant inside of you for far too long. If anyone is going to drag out your inner beast, let it be these guys!
Land Of The Innocent instantly became my favourite song of the year when I heard it in January. Every song I hear seems to become my favourite song; it’s fine. I actually mean it this time. It was the perfect synth driven song I’d heard in a while, and the haunting vocals just instantly won me over. But could they do the same with their debut record? In short, yes. Stop reading now if you must. I’d advise it because all I’m going to do is tell you why I love it and not be a jumped up music journalist!
The record starts with Land Of The Innocent. I don’t need to write about that, my feelings towards that song are evident. Soft comes next and it is brilliant. Everything seems positive from here. Their music, like I said the first time I wrote about them, is as delicate as their name. A lot of bands that make this style of music seem to want to desperately bring the 80s back. Urgh. NO! I know times are shit now, but there’s no need to bring the 80s back. Unless you are getting The Jesus And Mary Chain to tour the UK just one more time; then it’s okay. Leave the past in the past. Anyone who has tried to be Punk in recent times has turned out to be awful. I don’t even understand how Pop-Punk became a thing. That’s my own personal hate there, and I’m in the minority.
If All Now Here is of its time. It sounds like nothing else before or anything else around now. It’s flawless enough for it to influence a bunch of musicians struggling to make their own sound. Without sounding like a dick, it is a strong record. I don’t mean it in a cheap slang way most use; I mean it in its truest and purest sense. It is a record that you can put against a lot that have come out this year, and previous years that made (or tried) to make music of this genre- and it will be the one that blows the listener’s mind. What I love about If All Now Here is that it has no obvious influences. I don’t like it when you know straight away who (or if) a band are influenced by. I could quite happily research what has influenced some of my favourite bands, and spend hours listening to them and finding the one song that is evidently their backbone. I don’t like it when it is obvious. Maybe I just like making life difficult for myself at times.
I really love Dream Song because it has such a tame vibe to it. It feels like watching the sunset as you go off into the unknown. There’s a lot of comfort on this record, and Dream Song is the main track that really expresses this. It honestly does feel like a dream; the whole record feels like you are falling deep into the most pleasant trance. An ethereal state takes you over; every song feels as if it was made for you to dream to.
Feathers quickly became my ideal band back in January and the anticipation I carried for this record was much like what I carry around waiting for the new Warpaint record. Although both make different styles of music, both manage to take you on a gentle journey to the most perfect state of bliss you can imagine. For me, I have no problem at all with firmly stating that If All Now Here is one of the best records of the year. No doubt it’ll be the most ignored because everyone loves Haim; but Feathers are doing something different. You don’t always have to go with what the hype says you should, because when you do you foolishly ignore the good stuff. But, again, my opinion and I carry it alone.
If All Now Here doesn’t sound like a debut record; that’s how powerful it is. It doesn’t sound like something from a brand new band, but that’s what makes them worthy of your time. The dark and mysterious tones in their music is well hidden; listen intensely and it all becomes clear. When a band mix dark lyrics over cheerful sounds it is just the best thing because at first you are unaware of the darkness in the lyrics, but then you really start to listen and you then connect. That’s what makes a band not only powerful but also, believable. A prime example of this on If All Here Now is the track Dark Matter, I know it is eventually obvious on all songs but Dark Matter really captures. I adore the church bell sound on Night Seances; an eerie song that makes you feel as if you are in contact with another world. All of the record feels as if you have stepped into another world. One with meaning, one with ease. It is a phenomenal record; only a fool would find fault in it.
Everything I’ve written recently has either been deleted or saved somewhere, more than likely to be deleted. I don’t know why it has happened, but this has happened many times. The frustration of words builds and builds. I want to write, but I can’t. I have no idea at all. But I’m going to try make this one work for one reason. The band I’m going to write about are Italian. I’m half Italian, so I feel I have to do it.
Modern Blossom come from Florence. One of the best places in Italy. Personally, my favourite place in Italy is Perguia. I remember going to a record shop there when I was about 11 or 12, it was so neat and I think it had glass shelves. My memory is hazy; they may have just been clean. I wanted to spend the rest of my holiday in this shop, but obviously I couldn’t. I’d quite happily spend the rest of life wandering from record shop to record shop; but apparently this isn’t feasible- but when is it ever? Modern Blossom make dark electro music. The kind of music you play late at night in your room when you should be doing that thing that everyone else seems to do- sleeping. Who needs sleep when you have music like this?!
I adore the pleading vocals on I Don’t Own You and the desperation on Last Act. My knowledge of Italian music isn’t exactly great. I had a small obsession with Litfiba and an appreciation for Vasco Rossi. That’s pretty much it. Of course I know there is more to the Italian music scene than those two. From listening to Modern Blossom I cannot help but have confidence that something beautiful is happening in Italy; musically. The raw power in Modern Blossom’s music is stunning. The way the songs are sung in such a straining (I mean this with the most respect and praise) way makes you believe in every single word. It is like you are feeling the fury too, and if you cannot connect with a band or song then you really have no chance of ever being a fan.
I listen to all kinds of music. I don’t care for the genre so long as it sounds dark and a bit menacing. Songs like A Sickness Called Faith (pretty apt title for some, right?!) are just amazing. The intense atmosphere in their music is really at its peak in this song; it is like every single frustration is just oozing out in this song. In a way that you can’t ever seem to pull out of yourself. Something stirs within you on a daily basis; Modern Blossom get it out of you in the most humanely way possible. A Common Poetry feels like an ode of sorts to a previous love that you’ve disgusted or a friend that you’ve disgusted. We’ve all been there, but maybe they don’t deserve such an excellent song to be associated with it. I really enjoy the intensity in their music; every song has a gorgeous build up especially on A Common Poetry.
Beg For More is their first record and although it consists of only 7 tracks- they are 7 solid tracks that satisfy the listener to the core. There are no pretentious lyrics or obscure key changes to make you lose your mind. What we have here is something carefully crafted but to the point. They don’t weave around to create something that makes you think too hard to the point of madness, but just enough to make you see things differently.
Sometimes you hear something and the ability to put into words just how incredible it is fails you. It’s failed me right now. Normally I’d quite happily just sit and write hundreds of words about why I love said band or whatever. I can’t this time, so I’ll just leave this here:
His music is like a menace coming out late at night. Coming out to haunt you. You know you should run and hide, but sometimes you have to face everything head on. To run and hide from Nightbreaker would be foolish. Play reasonably loud and irresponsibly.
Something to add excitement to the dull state of modern life are a band called Loom. I’ve loved them since I heard Bleed On Me. I bought the cassette and it will be something I treasure for a long time. Much like their music. You see, they offer something that a lot of bands seems to lack. They’re not afraid to be loud and brutal.
Their new single, Acid King City is just as aggressive as previous releases. Tarik’s ferocious vocals are incredible; every element of this song is a brief glimpse into how powerful Loom really are. The beauty of the video is that it gives the fans an insight to just how rambunctious their live shows are. I think if you don’t leave one of their shows bruised and sweaty, then you’ve probably gone elsewhere. They are made for insane movements and liberal limb jolts.
Tarik’s shadow is casted over the hypnotic live clips in the background. You’re unsure where to devote your attention first, so the only thing you can do is have it on repeat.
“On the edge of the water where the ships pass by, And the sound of your laughter in the endless sky. Tips my head back, full of swimming thoughts. Beneath deep breathing.”
I wrote about Lissie’s Heart Murmur last year, or maybe the year before. I have no idea, I just really love Warpaint and I love writing about them. So anyway, I was walking (or hobbling) home from the gym this morning. It was really hot and I listened to Warpaint on the walk home; I played Lissie’s Heart Murmur a few times and noticed some things that I wanted to write down. I have no idea if any of it is going to make sense. I’m not for making sense, ever. That could be something else altogether though, but anyway..
I think it’s obvious one should play Warpaint through headphones. You pick up small details that make you fall even more in love with Warpaint; especially this song. When I listen to them I always find certain parts by each band member to fixate on, over and over. For the most part it is Emily’s delicate voice that just hypnotises me. I’m fully aware that when I see them in October I’m going to be left in a trance for days. I hope I never snap out of it.
The keys on Lissie’s Heart Murmur are so frail. The way they are played during the first few seconds of the song lures you, but at the same time you immediately imagine someone stood staring out to see with all their worries surrounding them. The keys are the worries falling out; then Emily’s voice comes in and you are soothed straight away. Are these things I have said before? More than likely. I don’t know if I could have a physical conversation with anyone about Warpaint because I’d just waffle on. Pretty much like I am here, but no one is telling me to shut up. But I’m writing this for those who are as in love with the band as I am. The ones who truly get it. Not the ones who just like one song and that’s it. The ones who have fallen asleep listening to Stars and it gave them the best sleep ever.
As the keys get lower; so does Emily’s voice. Then Jenny comes in with her stunning bass playing which merges so perfectly with Stella’s drumming. The drums sound like gentle crashes against the waves, and it is like the bass line is the life jacket to stop you getting out of your depth. In short, this song saves. Split yourself in two, and go with the part that is unsure. There’s a part in the song, I think it’s from 4.30 for 30 seconds where the song goes as wild as it can. It feels like a current in the water taking you over, then it becomes calm again towards the end and everything is alright. It is so beautiful.
Lyrically it is my favourite Warpaint song. The thing I love about their lyrics is that you have no way of being certain on what they are about. Of course you have the likes of say, Lou Reed and Morrissey for where the most part it is obvious about what they are on about. They go beyond being poets; but with Warpaint, they truly have lyrics where you can just make them into whatever you want. I know you can do that with Morrissey and Lou Reed, of course I do. Yet with Warpaint, maybe it is because of the trance they place you in with their music, you are gently carried into another world and the words are yours to take your own way. I’ve read the lyrics over and over, and you get the same feel as you do when you hear the song. It makes you feel as if you are floating on water- Warpaint are delicately pulling you along, who knows where you will end up. However, I’ve also realised that all Warpaint songs make me feel this way. They make you feel as if you are carelessly bobbing along, sometimes go under but when you go under it isn’t so bad. They’re there to get you above water again. You can call them a safety net.
I hate that I write personally, but this is the song I go to when everything seems a bit shit. I think it is mainly because Emily’s voice is so gentle on this song. I know it is delicate on songs such as Baby, but Lissie’s Heart Murmur has something else. It makes you feel like everything just might be okay; maybe not soon, but it will be. For the most part it really is, but the song is full of such reassurance and care; it is such a comforting song. When I was listening to it earlier I realised that this song, although it seems quite simple- there is so much going on. Like I mentioned above, you have to listen through headphones to really pick up on this. You pick up on the way the keys float through your ears so freely, and when the cymbal crashes it is like waves hitting the rocks. The way the bass is introduced after about 45 seconds is so beautiful. The bass resembles stones being cast into water; and the ripples that occur are like Emily’s voice. This could be the only song I ever hear for the rest of my life and I’d be completely happy with that; and I’d notice different parts to love. This song is like looking at the person you are in love with and noticing more things you love about them.
Warpaint are one of the very few bands I feel okay with taking their songs apart to talk (well, write) about certain parts in the song; certain moments that come to mean everything to the fan, the person listening to the song. The way in which Emily sings the word “sinks” is so clear and beautiful. Small moments like this are just beautiful. And the way “I’m in two”is sung and the drums kick in. Tiny moments that make the song. I’m fairly sure that Lissie’s Heart Murmur is my most played Warpaint song, and probably one of the most played songs I own in general. There is something about it that just makes you know that this is a song you’ll play in 10 years time and you’ll be taken back to when you first heard it, and how you will feel at that point will be exactly how you felt when you first heard it. I could have just summed this up by saying this is one of the most gorgeous songs of all time, I think that’s obvious. You just bask so freely in the tranquil atmosphere that they create, over and over again.
Last year I wrote about a duo from New York that were pretty much the opposite of everything I listen to. They’re not as heavy as bands such as The Jesus And The Mary Chain or Loom, but they have a dream-like feel to their music which is found in bands I love such as Youth Lagoon, Tamaryn and Warpaint. I like music that at times can be regarded as brutal and aggressive. Thrashing guitars and distorted vocals; that’s what owns my heart. But there is always room for delicate music. The true definition of delicate is found in the new Hooves EP, Luna.
Luna has the same beauty as Beach House’s music. The echoing vocals and the hazy guitar sends you into another world. A world free of any judgement and pain; and if you’ve been subjected to the news recently, you will understand how badly that is needed. Their gentle sounds and atmospheric mood is wonderfully soothing. I may have exhausted everything I could possibly say about Hooves when I wrote about them last year, but Luna is a stunning EP. With some EPs you always want more, and at times you wonder why a band even bothered to make one, but with Hooves this EP just fits perfectly. Luna is made up of four beautifully crafted songs that fit so perfectly; as the sun falls down this is the music you should be playing as you watch the day fade away and the cool, calm breeze of the night hits. Nothing else would be as blissful as this.
The tribal sounds in Animal Noises is my favourite off the EP, for now. I’ll no doubt change my mind as I listen to the EP on a loop; I rarely pick a favourite and stick to it, but I feel this may be one I can actually stick with. I adore the thumping drums and soothing vocals on Animal Noises. Doves is a song that is made up of ethereal vocals with a euphoric build-up towards the end. This is why it is so easy to fall in love with music. This is also why I believe duos to be the best. They give more of themselves, as do solo artists. In short, I just really do adore Hooves.
Hooves are one of the many reasons as to why I think it is easy to justify that New York is the home to such incredible talents. If you want to go way back in time, then you will find some true greats. But of recent years (I mean the past 5 years or so) bands like Sons Of An Illustrious Father to K-Holes have all produced insanely good music; both completely different from each other, but equally divine. Hooves are a prime example of what New York has to offer; you better take it.
Hooves is out now and you can get if off their bandcamp page: http://hoovesband.bandcamp.com/album/luna-ep Share it with the ones you love on a Summer’s day, that’s the best way to enjoy it. Or you can be totally selfish and play it through headphones and create your own piece of heaven. Both are fine; just listen. Oh and they also opened for Kaki King last December. That’s pretty important.
“Sacred hearts are bursting in the chest of every person that I meet.”
I came home from the gym. Threw my bag on the floor and was set to go through the daily gruelling process of looking for jobs and a reason to keep going at it. I checked my emails, what do I see? A promo copy of Crocodiles new record. Today is also my hero, Morrissey’s birthday. Today is a good day. These two things are just magical. I have things to do, and I don’t wish to do them. Not until I’ve written about the year’s best record.
Crimes Of Passion is Crocodiles fourth record. Each record of theirs has always had a lot of sentimental value to me. Summer Of Hate got me through a bad year, Sleep Forever summed up my life at that point and Endless Flowers just reminds me of my girlfriend. In short, I guess you could say Crocodiles music has dragged me through all the bad to finally someone, something good. That’s just how I see it. So what could Crimes Of Passion mean to me? Well to start with, everything.
The record starts with the glorious I Like It In The Dark. This is a song that should be played at all house parties, full of debauchery and the desire to commit some sins. I held no expectations when I pressed play; I knew immediately that I was going to hear a record that was going to make my tummy flip and my heart beat faster- this record is just like falling in love repeatedly with the same person, regardless of how long you’ve been with them, all over again. I Like It In The Darkis the start of a hazy journey through psychedelic bliss. The start of the week saw them give us a taste of their record by streaming Cockroach. The bold tones of this song remains throughout the whole record but there are some gloriously dreamy sounds on Crimes Of Passion. She Splits Me Upand Me And My Machine Gunhave such a beautiful daydream feel to them. They make you feel as if you are in the most secure of states; nothing and no one can touch you. Their first two records were quite wild, but since Endless Flowers their sound seems still rambunctious at times but being such a fan I am- I really really love this sound. They are like very few bands that are around who make different sounding records each time. Look at how drastic The Horrors sound was from Strange House to Primary Colours and to Skying. Look at how bands like The Kills have changed with each record. When I band keep repeating what they do, then it becomes a bore. I firmly stand by the Crocodiles being one of the most exciting bands around. Trust in Zoo Music kids, trust in it.
I’m in no position to tell you what the best songs are on Crimes Of Passion, I can only simply tell you that this is a remarkable record from start to finish. The songs are full of lust (Marquis De Sade– he was a French writer/philosopher who was sexually free with his words; a bit a genius for sure. Check out his work) and the songs are full of rage (Cockroach.) The songs are full of subjects many shy away from because they just cannot do it. The thing is, Crocodiles free you. They say the things you are too shy to say. Much like Morrissey has been doing for years. If you’re prone to drifting towards the dark things in life, then Crocodiles will be the ones who make music that just sums up those feelings and desires you try to hide.
Crocodiles make the weakest of people feel tough. Listening to them is a sacred experience. As you place your earphones in, strut down the street listening to them- you feel incredibly untouchable. I think this is how people felt when they first heard Velvet Underground. The posses the cool vibe of Lou Reed and the gentle poetry in their words which is found in the likes of literary geniuses such as Wilde, Verlaine and Ted Hughes. Basically, they are romantic with their words and how the music is equally as romantic. As I listen to Crimes Of Passion over and over, I can truly feel my heart being owned by Me And My Machine Gun. I want to say it is 2013’s version of No Black Clouds For Dee Dee but that song is in a different league. It’s the purest of love songs; the ultimate love song.
If you’ve ever seen Crocodiles live you will see that they play with such passion and fury. I’ve only seen them once, last year at Rough Trade. I was mesmerised by how Charles plays. You just watch this transformation happen, you see it in all of them. I remember my eyes being fixated on Charles when they played Mirrors. Certain moments kids, certain moments. Crocodiles are the trigger to a lifestyle full of rambunctious thoughts and the desire for something more. Excuse my language, but Crimes Of Passion is fucking incredible.
I cannot write how other Music Writers do. I cannot remove myself from being a fan, I really can’t. I don’t know if it is a good thing or bad thing. All I know is that, when you know a band have made a record with all they have it is important, if you’re going to write about it- you put your all into it too. There is so much more I want to say about Crimes Of Passion but to be honest, the record speaks for itself. If you want songs that make you want to be pure again, but knowing you cannot be (Virgin) or if you want songs to just wander the streets to (Un Chant D’AmourI’d like to add that this is the perfect song to just lay on the grass, close your eyes and let the sun beat on your eyes; and to just fall in love to) then Crimes Of Passion has it all. It is easy to adore every single song on this record. I’m beyond proud to be a fan of Crocodiles. Their music is like a cloak of armour, a badge of honour.
Crimes Of Passion is out 19th August on Zoo Music. Go to your local record shop and buy this record. The band is heading out on tour in the UK near the same time :
25-Aug UK Glasgow Broadcast 26-Aug UK Edinburgh Sneaky Petes 28-Aug UK Leeds Brudenell Social Club 29-Aug UK Manchester The Ruby Lounge 01-Sep UK Larmer Tree End of the Road 03-Sep UK Brighton Sticky Mike’s
Beat In My Bones. 