Reptiles – Come Get Me

Thu 22nd Jul, 2010 in Music Reviews

Reptiles are a strange mix of genres. Equal parts punk, country, blues and rock, combined with a bit of grunge, the four-piece make relatively simple music in the footsteps of Pixies and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.

The ten months they took to write their latest EP, Come Get Me, is evident throughout the four songs: all show a greater maturity and depth than their well-received debut EP, Smell My Skin.

The EP opens with the suitably titled Axe-Welcoming, with Joel Cornell’s guitar work electrifying while Emilio Scalzo’s vocals are stretched to the furthest point to be found here. Scalzo’s screams give way to a thumping bass line and captivating solos, all of which are complimented by clever drumming.

Signs of the country music influence are shown in One By One and, more obviously, in Black Stone Harbour, with the latter sounding almost as intense and deep as a Nick Cave song.

A demo of Sticky Tape reintroduces the heavier side to the band, with Cornell’s guitar work again impressing. This heavier side could well be attributed to Shihad drummer Tom Larkin, who produced the EP.

Come Get Me shows defiance to those who pompously pretend to defy mainstream. Reptiles have a truly honest sound that is, thankfully, also well rounded and well produced.