Showbread - Age Of Reptiles

Reviewed by Mark Sherwood

The first thing that Showbread fans will notice is that there is a lot less screaming compared to previous outings. The lyrics are intriguing and deep, eg, anyone who can come up with "you give new meaning to drop dead gorgeous, and I'm about to drop" and make it work is on another plane to me. No doubt some will have trouble with some lyrics but to be honest you need to really sit down and take them in context and deal with them as a whole. Personally, I think frontman and composer Josh Dies could be a genius! Musically this album is varied, noisy and full of fun, seemingly taking in influences from The White Stripes to Black Rebel Motor Cycle Club. Particularly outstanding is "O! Emetophobia!" which is dirty Southern rock with a Maylene & The Sons Of Disaster-style bridge. Equally powerful is the breakneck speed "Centipede Sisters" and the closing title track which over a bluesy stomp asks God for his blessing and forgiveness upon the crocodiles, cobras and all the snakes. I honestly don't think I've heard anything like this before, Showbread I believe are rightly becoming one of the prominent bands on the Tooth & Nail/Solid State roster and they will continue to gain ground with this powerful album.