10% Reptile - The Big Boycott

 

 

10% Reptile - The Big Boycott
Self released - February 2021
Stoner, post punk, garage
Rated: *****

Four piece 10% Reptile hail from New York, New York, and on their debut album "The Big Boycott" deliver an inventive and wholly unique take on stoner rock. Politically charged and wearing their hearts on their sleeves, the crew kick things off with opener "Point Fingers". The stripped down, bouncy intro of guitar and snappy drums has an off kilter vibe, tied together with earnestly disaffected vocals. Soon enough the fuzz gets cranked up, and the stoner side of the band is bared, crunchy stop-start riffs chugging along with a touch of harsher noise rock. A garagey, Talking Heads-esque outro finishes off the track, transitioning sharply into follow-up "Long Lasting Parade" with its thudding, chunky guitar and dense low end. While the stomping riff is repeated, guitar leads snake in and out with fiery licks, calling to mind Red Fang while the drums pulse and push forward. The third track and highlight cut is "Army Ants", in which the band goes full Gang of Four. Jumpy, wiry guitar and noisy chords cut a mean groove, and the bright post-punk sound pairs beautifully with the meatier distortion. Taking the groove to a whole new level, however, is "Vote For Yourself", laying down big band swing with pounding drums and growling bass amid sinister, punchy riffs. Final cut "Laughing" brings it all home with a choppy, insidious lick locking the beat in before exploding in a blown out wall of noise. 10% Reptile have delivered one of the most unique and refreshing heavy rock albums in recent memory, spicing up the stoner sound we know and love with jolts of post-punk and a snappy garage rock attitude.

(Written by Shastabeast)

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