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Reptiles, is the second album by Dr.Atomik, released by the newly-found, Athens based, Greek Crisis Records. Listeners who might expect a sequel to band’s debut “Dr.Atomik” (HitchHyke Records, 2007), will be surprised. Dr.Atomik’s minimal “two-musicians-plus-a-laptop” creative era has been left behind for good in favour of a rock 'n' roll "band sound". During an era when it is rather usual for bands immitating or copying other bands to be hailed as musical pioneers, “Reptiles” is built of the unique, rare material that allows albums to survive their time: excellent brand new songs. All lyrics and the music of nine out of the twelve songs in the album are signed by Antonis Livieratos, a musician who considers himself a composer rather than a frontman. The rest of the members of the band have contributed to the composition of the other three tracks. “Reptiles” crosses repeatedly barriers between styles. Dr.Atomik walk easily the long way that divides the laconic punk attidude of “Little Punk Bird” from the almost-acid-rock form of “I did my best” and “Lend me your ears”. They jump from the “derranged” bluesy “Insecticide (The ballad of Don and Darleen)” to the bitter lyricism of “Hopeless, “Rainy Night”, “Reptiles” and “Moment of Glory” they instantly switch from the straightforwardness of “Ordinary Bitch” and “Clear and simple” to the studio experimentations of “Bad Luck” and “Zip-Zap Yeah”. “Reptiles” is a 45-minute powerful rock’n’roll album. Sometimes it sounds clear and quiet while sometimes it becomes dirty and aggressive. The “natural” feeling of the sound of electric and acoustic instruments is often being interrupted by “hard” electronics and unexpected noises. Reptiles is a real contemporary work of art that goes over the limit of what is commercially specified as “modern sound’. Dr.Atomik are influenced by a vast spectrum of musical species: Rock’n’roll, blues, jazz and avant-garde have left their trace on band’s music. But these influences are expressed with maturity: As real life experiences, not as pathetic attempts to immitate their musical heroes.
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