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Reviewed
by: Darklight
This Croc Shop CD is one of the more refreshing releases
I’ve heard in a while. From the artwork to the music, this is not your
typical EBM album. And that‘s part of its appeal. With so many bands
sounding rather similar these days, it’s nice to get a CD such as this
one that stands out with its own style.
I’ll be the first to admit that Croc Shop hasn’t really
impressed me all that much in the past. Their previous recording Order
+ Joy (under the band name Crocodile
Shop) was good, but still included too many quirky elements
that prevented me from really enjoying it as a whole. However, this
World release is impressive from beginning
to end without anything sounding like it doesn‘t belong.
The Japanese anime’ artwork on the cover of this album might make you
think that Croc Shop has compiled a techno-pop CD,
but that is not the case. While there are some electro-pop elements
to be heard here, this overall album is pure EBM. But this is not an
all out club assault, either. Most of the tracks play at a mid-tempo
pace making them better suited for headphones than the dance floor.
While you can somewhat recognize Croc Shop from the
past here, this is definitely a new direction for the band. The songs
are upbeat and funky featuring EBM, techno and trance elements with
a dash of synth-pop here and there.
The vocals are somewhat muffled with slight effects, and this is the most disappointing aspect of the album. Mick Hale has a good voice, so there’s really no reason for him to alter it. The muffled sounding singing just doesn’t fit well with the rather clean technical electronic music. While I assume that altering the vocals was a creative decision to give the songs a slightly rougher edge, I personally feel that it was a poor choice as these songs would have worked a lot better with clear vocals.
Each track manages to stay within a similar style without sounding alike. The electronic programming is slightly experimental with a lot of layering of various sound effects, blips, bleeps and beats playing over synth melodies. Mick Hale delivers the lyrics in a fast spoken manner. The songs are structured well with frantic beats and catchy choruses.
There are three remixes provided by Flesh Field, Dubok
and Sub Grav. The Flesh Field remix
of "Generation" is one of the best songs offered on this album.
Rian Miller of Flesh Field provides her vocals in areas
of the song where they fit well. The music is turned into a dark energetic
club assault similar to Flesh Field’s own music. Dubok’s
remix of "World" is also a great interpretation turning the
song into a smooth synth-pop track.
There’s really not too much to complain about here. This CD is something unique at a time when it’s really needed. I don’t think it’s for everyone, but it’s definitely for those who want something a little different in the industrial/EBM/synth-pop genre.
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