When a TGEFM staffer just doesn't have the time to write up a full review for an EP or LP, they can do a quick one for the Drive-by Reviews feature. Think of it like a Cliff's Notes for reviews– You'll get the gist of it without all of the verbiage.
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‘92 – ‘92
Rude Records – 23 Feb
Cathartic throwback hardcore inspiring political action and inspiring me to dig out my James Worthy jersey
Why you want it: This is unapologetic, this is engaging, this is hardcore
Why you don't: This isn't a step into a new era, its a trip back in time to turn-of-millennium hardcore. Don't expect anything new, even if it is fully fresh.
Top Tracks: “Brick By Brick”
Review by Bad Dad
Amigo The Devil – Yours Until The War Is Over
Liars Club Records – 23 Feb
Its as if Ennio Morricone scored a series of Hunter S. Thompson short stories to create the most absurd, brilliant, fever-dream of an Americana-punk record.
Why you want it: Its full of galloping pacing and vivid hellscapes loaded with tales of murder, gallows humor, crime and hope.
Why you don't: Its witty, its dark, its funny… its folksy and that not everyone's cup of sarsaparilla
Top Tracks: “I'm Going To Heaven,” “Once Upon A Time at Texaco pt. 1”
Review by Bad Dad
Bikini Carwash – Scrape The Sky
Clams Casino Factory – 2 Feb
Gritty and grimy proto-punk that gets better and better every listen
Why you want it: It's enjoyable, its raucous and you are going to have an absolute blast with this one. Definitely one of my favorites of the year thus far.
Why you don't: There's strong elements of Brooklyn, hipster vibes at the forefront of the record… and yes, that's a massive insult.
Top Tracks: “Line In The Sand” “Like that Of Snakes”
Review by Bad Dad
Cherym – Take It Or Leave It
Alcopop Records – 16 Feb 2024
This is the debut album from this three-piece pop-punk band from Northern Ireland. With songs about women's rights, pronouns, LGBTQ, not playing sports, and religious beliefs, that blend between personal and political ideas.
Why you want it: Good mix of bubble-gum pop and pop-punk, with great sounding vocals. If you like your music to have a strong message of inclusivity delivered in a very catchy chorus.
Why you don't: Some songs are more pop and less punk.
Top Tracks: “Alpha Beta Sigma”, “Colourblind”, “AW TYSM”
Review by RIZCHEX
Gen and the Degenerates – Anti-Fun Propaganda
Marshall Records – 23 Feb
Grab your dance shoes and discover the latest and greatest ofatest, greatest and ass-shakiest British post-punk act
Why you want it: Charming and disarming enough to take over the mainstream, smart and subversive enough to change the world when it does.
Why you don't: This record is not for the punker-than-thou crowd who confuse accessible for manufactured
Top Tracks: “That's Enough Internet For Today,” “Big Hit Single
Review by Bad Dad
Laura Jane Grace – Hole In My Head
Polyvinyl Records – 16 Feb
Each record from folk-punk pioneer Laura Jane Grace, from Against Me! through her first 2 full lengths Grace has let more and more of her identity shine through, this record feels less like songs written for a band and more personal, more free as though ripped straight from the pages of LJG's journals.
Why you want it: Charmingly angry, bitterly hopeful and self-assuredly uncertain, Hole In My Head invites the listeners into the diary of a brilliant and complex woman.
Why you don't: Its not Reinventing Axl Rose, Its not Searching For A Former Clarity and some of you are going to struggle with this chapter of Ms Grace's sound.
Top Tracks: “Dysphoria Hoodie,” “I'm Not A Cop”
Review by Bad Dad
Hummer – Time To Pack Up
Horn & Hoof Records – 16 Feb 2024
If you are not familiar, Hummer is (or was) a three-piece UK punk band. Its catchy melodic punk played at a high tempo with passionate heavy and raspy vocals.
Why you want it: Fun, fast paced, meaningful lyrics, and good production quality.
Why you don't: I believe the band has disbanded before this release came out, so if you get into them, this is it, you'll never get more.
Top Tracks: “Apocalypse”, “See You When I See You”, “Integrity”
Review by RIZCHEX
The Kilograms – EP
Asbestos Records – 09 Feb 2024
I am a big fan of Joe Gittleman's post Mighty Mighty Bosstones projects so I knew this would be good before I ever hit the play button. Joining Gittleman is Sammy Kay (who doesn't own a computer? Bonjov!), Michael McDermott (Joan Jett & The Blackhearts / The Bouncing Souls), and J Duckworth (Newport Secret Six). As if that wasn't enough to call this an all-star lineup, they are some guest vocals from Birttany Luna of Catbite, and Esteban “Junior” Flores (keyboard player for like almost every ska band) joins in, along with Todd Farrell Jr and Jeff Rickels. Joe and Sammy originally got together to do a song for a benefit album to help their friend Michelle who was affected by the 2023 Maui wildfires. They brought in McDermott and Duckworth to do the song and next thing they knew, they had started a new band and now have a five song EP.
Why you want it: Everything about this is fantastic. The different vocal styles of Gittleman and Kay intertwine nicely and the influence of the artists different backgrounds of ska, reggae, punk, and rock, set this apart from anything they have done before.
Why you don't: You only listen to vinyl and it's sold out already.
Top Tracks: “I Swear”, “Can't Be Beat”, “Who Am I”
Review by RIZCHEX
Malewicz – The New Hier
Inhumano – 02 Feb 2024
Malewicz is a duet style French speaking pop-punk band from Switzerland.
Why you want it: Even though I have no idea what they are singing about, it's catchy, the songs are tight, and great production sound.
Why you don't: It's in French and even though I Google translated some of the lyrics, I'm still not sure the meaning of the songs.
Top Tracks: “The New Hier”, “Eux Nous”
Review by RIZCHEX
MC Lars and Schaeffer The Dark Lord – 999
Horris Records – 16 Feb
Nerdcore poet laureates explore the villainy and darkness of the House Of Mouse; this album is a wish my heart makes.
Why you want it: Lars and Schaeffer are at the forefront of their subgenre for a reason. They don't need to wait to be king to show off a whole new world and my brain simply can not let it go.
Why you don't: Its a bit goofy, its a bit silly… and you might not find it as charming as I do.
Top Tracks: “Rated For G For Trauma,” “Five Ways To Kill A Toon”
Review by Bad Dad
Mean Jeans – Blasted
Fat Wreck Chords – 09 Feb 2024
The Mean Jeans are not a new band by any means (was that a pun?) but for some reason I haven't heard a lot of their music. They are known as a Ramones-core band but I'd say on this album they are more of a Queers-core band. The songs are fast, the lyrics are witty, and there is no lack of energy. They poke fun at several topics from aliens, Taco Bell, horror movies, and a few well-known punk musicians.
Why you want it: It's fun, fast, and catchy, with lyrics that say “no idea is too stupid”, and there is that Taco Bell song.
Why you don't: Maybe some ideas are too stupid for you or you're just a big fan of Tom DeLonge and aliens.
Top Tracks: “I Don't Give a Shit Anymore”, “Reggie”, “Taco Bell Parking Lot”
Review by RIZCHEX
Mutiny – Mutiny EP
Ska Punk International – 20 Feb
Ska-punk supergroup put out a killer 4-song EP and then doubled it up by including Japanse versions of all 4 tracks.
Why you want it: How do you feel about ska? Punk? Voodoo Glow Skulls? Dissidente? Death By Stereo? A Ska and Manga-version of the Armory Wars Saga? You love it, and ya know why? Because its fucking awesome.
Why you don't: This could be a bit too hardcore for the rude kids, a bit too ska for the hardcore kids and a bit too manga for the “I only read books left to right” crowd.
Top Tracks: “What A Difference A Year Makes”
Review by Bad Dad
Painted Fiction – Dusk EP
self-released – 23 Feb
Masterful 90s-infused alternative from a quartet that have been kicking round the scene separately for decades
Why you want it: This EP smacks of the freshest form of nostalgia with a brand new flavor.
Why you don't: Its too damn short, the EP closes out leaving you wishing it was an LP, because 21 minutes and 2 seconds simply isn't enough.
Top Tracks: “Old Town,” “Nameless Horse”
Review by Bad Dad
Pet Needs – Intermittent Fast Living
Xtra Mile Records – 16 Feb
Often tongue in cheek examinations of life with a jangly and fun post-punk skew.
Why you want it: Ever meet someone and after five minutes together you realize they are the perfect yin to your yang? That's Pet Needs, completely relatable and emotionally open enough to sing, laugh, dance and commiserate with.
Why you don't: Honestly, even if you don't like it, you're going to find yourself tapping your toes while it plays in the background.
Top Tracks: “Seperation Anxiety,” “Burning Building”
Review by Bad Dad
The Problem With Kids Today – Born To Rock
Self-Released – 9 Feb
A classic-sounding art-punk banger built for the stage at Max's Kansas City.
Why you want it: The CBGB bathroom was a landmark because its dirty, grimy and the sounds of the past echo through its every inch, Born To Rock has all the same elements without the Hepatitis
Why you don't: You're inevitably going to get muscle cramps listening to this and tapping your foot to the sharp and fast beats… but its worth it.
Top Tracks: “Speed Freak,” “What Else Could I Say”
Review by Bad Dad
A Scent Like Wolves – Distant Dystopia
Theoria Records – 23 Feb
A solid, filler-friendly metalcore narrative, featuring melodic riffage and dual vocals.
Why you want it: This album centers the scales at a perfect balance between the soaring melodies and the crushing core at the heart of metalcore.
Why you don't: When you have 2 distinct vocals that complement themselves so completely the way A Scent Like Wolves has, you don't need to bring in all the damn guest features.
Top Tracks: “Force Field” “Familiar Beings”
Review by Bad Dad
Sweetheart Grip – When You're Sick
02 Feb 2024
I actually listened to this while I was sick with a bad cold. Although I would not recommend doing the same, I would highly recommend listening to this, as it is pretty sick. This is the band's debut album and has a little bit of a DC hardcore feel mixed with classic punk and a dash of heavy rock and roll.
Why you want it: If you like your punk fast, loud, and in your face.
Why you don't: You don't like the vocals screaming in your face.
Top Tracks: “Grifter”, “Silent Gun”, “Serial Heart”, “Union Biscuits”
Review by RIZCHEX