Reptilian Overlord
The Casanovas
•
October 4, 2020
THE CASANOVAS is a Hard Rock trio formed in 1999 in Melbourne, Australia. Until recently, the band had released three albums: "The Casanovas" (2004), "All Night Long" (2006) and "Terra Casanova" (2015). "Reptilian Overlord" (2020) is their fourth studio record and their first one in 5 years. For the production of this album, THE CASANOVAS recruited fellow Aussie record producer and audio engineer Mark Opitz, who has worked with bands such as AC/DC and INXS, among other legends. With the release of singles "Hollywood Riot", "Red Hot" and "Lost And Lonely Dreams", the band has already stated that they'll keep their 70's Hard Rock sound in this new album.
"Hollywood Riot" is the first track, and I can imagine this song playing at a local pub. It was a good move to release this song as a single. "Outlaw", for me, has a different vibe. I picture this tune playing in a convertible car from the 70's on a road trip to somewhere desert-like. "Lost And Lonely Dreams" is slower and has quite sad lyrics. Perhaps that's why it has become my favorite song from the album.
"Stand Back" instantly sounded like a GARY GLITTER song. The drumming pattern in the beginning seems to be a trademark for many different songs from the 70's. Even though "Mid-Life Crisis" has the catchy phrases and the 'feel good' rhythm of the other tracks, the depressing lyrics make this song probably the most peculiar one on the entire album. It definitely sounds more like something from the 80's while the rest of the tracks have 70's written all over them. "Red Hot" is such a party song, and the high point of "Bulletproof" is the guitar solo. Last, but not least, the title track of the album is the perfect closure for it.
I'm sure "Reptilian Overlord" will be well received by fans of AC/DC and Glam Rock/Hard Rock in general. You can hear a bunch of different influences from '70s rock in each song. Overall, the riffs are simple, the drumming is made to make you bang your head and the melodies and chorus are catchy as hell. In my opinion, the album is not groundbreaking at all, but it is well produced. It'll make you dance and is a true-to-style record.
8 / 10
Excellent
Songwriting
Musicianship
Memorability
Production
"Reptilian Overlord" Track-listing:
1. Hollywood Riot
2. Outlaw
3. Cold Day In Hell
4. Lost And Lonely
5. Stand Back
6. St Kilda Is Fucked
7. Mid-Life Crisis
8. Red Hot
9. Bulletproof
10. Reptilian Overlord
The Casanovas Lineup:
Tommy Boyce - Vocals, Guitar
Damo Campbell - Vocals, Bass
Brett "Wolfie" Wolfenden - Drums
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