In a lot of ways, Reptar produces the kind of music you’d expect from a band named after a cartoon toy T-Rex. Like the band’s Rugrats-derived namesake, and that cartoon’s magically out-there creators, Reptar exists in a world of childlike wonder and ’80s-infused whimsy. Here, loopy, sometimes-cheesy synths take the lead, matched only by frontman Graham Ulicny’s oddly theatric speak-sing. (Think The B-52’s Fred Schneider meets Clap Your Hands Say Yeah’s Alec Ounsworth.) Jovial and bouncy from start to finish, Oblangle Fizz Y’all is colored with everything from bombastic horn sections and forest noises (“Context Clues”) to meaningless chant choruses and distorted synth lines (“Blastoff”), yet it never falls victim to ridiculousness. As for the highlights, “Stuck in My Id” is Oblangle‘s hands-down winner, a buoyant anthem that reminds us of Passion Pit and Sesame Street in equal measure. Reptar plays SOhO Restaurant & Music Club (1221 State St.) with Phantogram on Thursday, November 3. Call 962-7776 or visit clubmercy.com for tickets.
Reptar
Oblangle Fizz Y’all