Midwestern fourpiece
The Reptilian
employ the mathy instrumentation of Minus the Bear and
Hurl, but match it with yelly, post-hardcore vocals. It's not
an unfamiliar combination, although these rolling, complex
compositions could have benefitted from a more tuneful singer. Epic
"So... what are my torso options?" (yes, they do the goofy song
title thing, too) is like Minus the Bear channelled through
Archers of Loaf-esque abandon, but Sacha's bland shout
simply doesn't do the track justice (see video below). Tracks one
and four are equally guilty. The album's lone instrumental, sure to
get any Nintendo fan into a chuckle, is "Wallkicks will work" -
without Sacha's vocals, the song shows an introspective and dreamy
side of the band. Instrumentally, these folks deserve accolades, but
the singing just doesn't cut it - lyrically or technically.