While San Diego’s Crocodiles have been a player in the noise-pop scene since their 2009 debut, Summer of Hate, it’s just now with their new single, “Sunday (Psychic Conversation #9),” that they finally sound ready to carve out their own niche.  A cleaner sound helps here, as did expanding the lineup to a five piece.  Perhaps, just as important, is their newly diversified  musical vocabulary which draws inspiration from the paisley underground of the late ’80s, power-pop of the early ’90s, and does so without forsaking the blurred, feedback of their earlier releases.  All of this results in a deep and layered, but not over done track, that can satisfy on multiple levels: One can soak in the drone and delicate static swooshing deep in the mix, focus on the upbeat pop that’s front and center, or let it all blend together.  This is modern guitar pop done well.

MP3: Crocodiles – Sunday (Psychic Conversation #9)

Crocodiles’ third album, Endless Flowers, will be released June 5th on Frenchkiss Records.