Crocodiles

The Fat Possum Records aesthetic, whether it pertains to rock groups like the Black Keys or blues artists à la R.L. Burnside, champions primitivism over polish and rawness over refinement — which is why the music of Crocodiles (on this bill with White Rabbits) belongs in the imprint's catalogue. Guitarist...

By Michael Roberts

June 25, 2009

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The Fat Possum Records aesthetic, whether it pertains to rock groups like the Black Keys or blues artists à la R.L. Burnside, champions primitivism over polish and rawness over refinement — which is why the music of Crocodiles (on this bill with White Rabbits) belongs in the imprint's catalogue. Guitarist Charles Rowell and singer Brandon Welchez, co-conspirators since their San Diego teen years, play in the duo format so popular a few years back, making up for their modest numbers with feedback and a cavern's worth of echo. The technique's not new — Brits stared lovingly at their shoe tops while listening to similar stuff a couple of decades back. But it remains damnably effective throughout Summer of Hate, an album highlighted by "I Wanna Kill," which transforms the phrase "I wanna kill tonight" into an early rock hook whose sunniness stands in harsh contrast to the minor-key doom of the backing track. Such juxtapositions give these Crocodiles their bite.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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