When Seattle lost the Crocodile Café, a local institution was lost forever. But the Crocodile's rebirth marked the beginning of a new, improved era for Seattle musicgoers. No, it's not the Crocodile Café anymore, but the new Croc manages to pay homage to the venue's history without getting so nostalgic as to cling to some of the features everyone disliked about the old Croc. No longer shall anyone's vision be obscured by that obnoxious pillar in the middle of the room. No longer will Neumos be able to corner the market on bands who aren't quite popular enough to fill the Showbox. It's almost like the Croc never left. Almost.?Sara Brickner