Press ArchiveFlipsideIssue 120The Ohio brother and sister noise duo are back with their spooky, grindy, guitar-ridden sound. Man, this girl can wail. Jenny has a great feminine (none of that "manly" chick stuff) and the sound is just plain strong. The album opens with a nice, noise-drenched intro, then "Career Day." distorted guitar, and that fun tribal - Babes In Toylandesque feeling drums. I really dig Croatan, some people I know can't tolerate it, but it's sort of fun, sloppy, and nauseating and I really like it. Their trademarks are the way they play their instruments. Distorted guitar, and those loud drums as I described above. My significant other tells me "they are like a less melodic Painteens." The metal shows on "Army of God." Pure metal, baby - grindy mean and EVIL! It's really hard to describe them, just when I think I have it, something happens and the metal shows, or the grindcore, or the Babes In Toyland obnoxiousness. "Why Do You Think They Call It Dope?" is a spooky song, draining distortion and a very dark feel. I think my one complaint is the recording quality and mixdown. It gives it a sort of a ratty, more boombox feel, and I think if they had a better mixdown, and such, then it could have sounded tighter - still noisy, and sloppy - but Croatan would get their due. They are keen though, one of a kind in their loud way, and I think they'd scare any non-believer who saw them live or heard the album. But alas, Croatan has a special place in my heart. Reviewed by Miss Sarah A. Stierch Issue ?What is raw production is also raw energy which makes for raw listening. This one is like really chapped lips; hurts like hell but fun to pick at. Girl vocals vs. gritty guitars make this record an uneasy listen, barely tolerable unless you're in one of those hurt small animals moods, in which Croatan make music to commit heinous acts by. 19 tracks in all from this Cincinnati duo. Made my ears bleed in a good sorta way. Reviewed by Zack Negative |