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Reptoids

Park a Tiger (2005)
RRR

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Contributed by: Anchors
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on November 13th 2005

A reptoid is merely a theoretical proposition. The hypothetical product of the evolution of humans if the dinosaurs didn't become extinct, nothing more, nothing less. Fitting then, that Park a Tiger finds the band Reptoids one eagerly playing for the past, playing for when punks' only criteria was "we go to eleven."

Even so, in that right, Reptoids more than succeed. Loud, bratty, and straight to the point, they make no qualms about the music they play. It's raw, gritty, and damn heavy for a punk band. In just sixteen minutes, Reptoids are able to establish and peak interest, and end just as strongly. There's not much deviation from song to song, but oddly enough, that almost seems sort of trivial with this release. The focus isn't supposed to be on anything but the rock, and songs like "Soft Living" deliver it in pretty large doses. "Crimes Against Humanity" opens up with some strong bass work, while Kay Oh's tough, no-frills vocals take the lead, and not only does she perfectly suit the guitar work, but she's playing a good deal of it herself. She and guitarist Melissa contrast some clean leads over the heavily distorted rhythms, and the product comes out surprisingly smooth. As you listen more and more, the more apparent it becomes that there's more depth to the music than just turning the amps up as high as possible.

But still, it's damn loud. "Mexico Fiasco" shows Kay Oh's vocals essentially getting lost under the sea of fuzz and distortion. "Permanent Mark" feigns the band slowing down for a 15-second acoustic lead-in, but that's pretty short-lived. Even so, it seems to be a slowdown for the band, a brief reprieve, and the only one that's going to be found on the album.

I'll keep this short and sweet, just like this album, and hell, the band's own words can sum this up better than I can: "Prepare for war now, this is open fire."

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these_parks_are_lakes (December 14, 2010)

The Reptoids kick ass.

These reviews often serve as little internet monuments so please forgive me for not addressing this release in particular. The Reptoids, as I figure, are unironic rock; meaning they draw on late 90's rock and metal riffage without styling themselves as hand-me-down hacks (Live > Nickelback > Chris Daughtry) while at the same time not relying on a campy retro style to use as an excuse for passion. They even have riot girl style vocals, which totally works for them, especially when you consider how shitily late 90's rockers sing. So, in a Chicago rife with Lawrence Arms ripoffs (oversimplification) and where apparently punks are homophobes, I am so happy this band is around.

darkstarm (November 14, 2005)

my band shared a practice space with these guys. they were pretty big douchebags so we stopped practicing there. i had no idea that they were signed or anything cause we always thought they were pretty shitty. oh well. good for them?

McGarnicle (November 14, 2005)

Reptoids - Park a Tiger
Posted by McGarnicle on 2005-11-13 15:00:29

Is there anything good that ends in 'oid'? I know good things end in 'mania', but 'oid'?
how about richard hell and the voidoids?

I guess you got me on a technicality, since that's not a real word. The Noid from those Dominos commercials is another good thing.

rkl (November 13, 2005)

Reptoids - Park a Tiger
Posted by McGarnicle on 2005-11-13 15:00:29

Is there anything good that ends in 'oid'? I know good things end in 'mania', but 'oid'?
how about richard hell and the voidoids?