Showbread Age of Reptiles
Tooth & Nail Records TND52479 August 1st, 2006
By Jason Jordan
The liner notes of their Solid State debut album No Sir, Nihilism Is Not Practical had the band looking like factory workers wearing bizarre, black and red uniforms, but follow-up Age of Reptiles casts that aside. Now, Showbread are evidently a sextet of reptile-loving, tattoo-covered woodsmen. More important, however, is the fact that this particular effort doesnt stack up to its predecessor, which is quite unfortunate.
Showbread are still playing a form of music they classify as raw rock, and the sound isnt a far cry from that of No Sir, Nihilism Is Not Practical. The tunes are upbeat and inviting, with plenty of synthesizers, though none match the catchiness of A Llama Eats a Giraffe (and Vice Versa), Dead by Dawn, or Mouth Like a Magazine. As a matter of opinion, every song on Age of Reptiles comes across as second-rate material. Still, several are worth listening to in spite of their deficiencies. Naked Lunch (William S. Burroughs anyone?) is an opener that radiates confidence, the stomping nature of Your Owls Are Hooting is gripping yet ultimately fails to deliver in the end, Oh! Emetophobia! (fear of vomiting, fyi) has a fantastic chorus, and the closing title track is epic due to its length, touching verses/choruses, and employment of various instruments.
Many will be turned off by the importance Showbread place on Christianity because Age of Reptiles is certainly a spiritual and occasionally preachy record. The title track even morphs into a familiar praise and worship number by the 9:30 minute mark, which can be annoying for those who arent of a similar persuasion. At any rate, whats more disconcerting is that this 43-minute album is a weak and disappointing entry when their last installment proved worthwhile. Akin to Underoaths Define the Great Line, this is not a group at their peak.
5.5/10
UMs Review Rating Scale
Official Showbread Website
Official Tooth & Nail Records Website
Tooth & Nail Records TND52479 August 1st, 2006
By Jason Jordan
The liner notes of their Solid State debut album No Sir, Nihilism Is Not Practical had the band looking like factory workers wearing bizarre, black and red uniforms, but follow-up Age of Reptiles casts that aside. Now, Showbread are evidently a sextet of reptile-loving, tattoo-covered woodsmen. More important, however, is the fact that this particular effort doesnt stack up to its predecessor, which is quite unfortunate.
Showbread are still playing a form of music they classify as raw rock, and the sound isnt a far cry from that of No Sir, Nihilism Is Not Practical. The tunes are upbeat and inviting, with plenty of synthesizers, though none match the catchiness of A Llama Eats a Giraffe (and Vice Versa), Dead by Dawn, or Mouth Like a Magazine. As a matter of opinion, every song on Age of Reptiles comes across as second-rate material. Still, several are worth listening to in spite of their deficiencies. Naked Lunch (William S. Burroughs anyone?) is an opener that radiates confidence, the stomping nature of Your Owls Are Hooting is gripping yet ultimately fails to deliver in the end, Oh! Emetophobia! (fear of vomiting, fyi) has a fantastic chorus, and the closing title track is epic due to its length, touching verses/choruses, and employment of various instruments.
Many will be turned off by the importance Showbread place on Christianity because Age of Reptiles is certainly a spiritual and occasionally preachy record. The title track even morphs into a familiar praise and worship number by the 9:30 minute mark, which can be annoying for those who arent of a similar persuasion. At any rate, whats more disconcerting is that this 43-minute album is a weak and disappointing entry when their last installment proved worthwhile. Akin to Underoaths Define the Great Line, this is not a group at their peak.
5.5/10
UMs Review Rating Scale
Official Showbread Website
Official Tooth & Nail Records Website
