The indie rock veterans Crocodiles are back with their ninth studio album, ‘Greetings from Hell’, and it turns out that hell is actually a fantastic, upbeat garage-pop party. Released via Wild Honey Records, this 10-track, 32-minute collection trades away their old gritty noise-rock distortions for crisp, massive hooks and pure power-pop energy. Core members Brandon Welchez and Charles Rowell sound like they are having the absolute time of their lives, proving that two decades of music-making has only amplified their chemistry. It is a high-spirited rock ‘n’ roll record that pairs perfectly with backyard productivity, especially after finally putting together a new raised bed garden filled with tomato plants, herbs, cucamelons, and marigolds. Watching those new green sprouts settle into the soil while listening to this record brings an incredible sense of accomplishment, especially since it has been years since having a raised bed garden to tend to.
Three tracks pop out immediately as the driving forces of this joyful release, making them an excellent accompaniment for an afternoon under the sun. The opening anthem, “Time Is Wasting Me,” sets a brisk pace with its driving rhythm and incredibly fun vocals. The track features the wonderfully catchy line: “The hours turn to days / And then turn to dust, Somewhere in the universe, The minutes oxidize, And then turn to rust.” Next up is “In Love With A Ghost,” a track that balances a bouncy, melodic tempo with wonderfully dry humor. Its standout lyric captures a very relatable, sleepwalking mood: “I am one in a million / I’m just trying to survive, I’m in love with a feeling, That’s already dead.” Finally, the title track “Greetings From Hell” hits a glorious peak of energetic pop-punk camp. It delivers pure attitude with the memorable lyrics: “Greetings from hell, Greetings from hell, Gimme gimme time to waste, Meet me under heaven’s gate.”
‘Greetings From Hell’ is pretty fucking good because it maintains an entirely fun, unpretentious mood while delivering pristine songwriting. Producer Jonah Falco also pulls double duty as a key guest musician by delivering heavy, sharp drums, extra keys, and backup vocals that give every track enough muscle to blast straight through your speakers. There are no slow, boring moments to drag down the momentum, keeping your energy high from the first track to the last. If you need a blast of melodic, feel-good energy to complement the good vibes of a freshly planted garden, this record is an absolute must-listen. Pick up your copy of the record today!!
Links of interest:
https://www.instagram.com/killcrocodiles/
https://crocodilesband.bandcamp.com/album/greetings-from-hell-2