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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Various Artists – As Heard On TV
Outcast Tape Infirmary – 22 March 2024
This comp is a tribute to TV theme songs and commercial jingles. 100% of the proceeds of the sales will be donated to The Palestine Children's Relief Fund (www.pcrf.net).
Why you want it: It's got Buffy, Family Guy, Steel Reserve, and my favorite Toys “Я” Us Kid.
Why you don't: Some of the tracks are very punk adjacent (not punk at all), and there are probably some jingles you won't recognize.
Top Tracks: “Gimme, Gimme, Gimme My Steel Reserve”, “Dollop of Daisy”, “Toys Я Us Kid”
Review by RIZCHEX
Lauran Hibberd – Girlfriend Material
Virgin Music– 22 Mar 2024
Self-deprecating slack-pop toeing the line between Wheatus & Kate Nash, while managing a humorous originality.
Why you want it: This record is for those of us always in the mood for adorably self-aware lyrics and radio-friendly musicianship.
Why you don't: Your ego cant cope with Ms Hibberd's ability to be put you in your place while being charmingly self-deprecating.
Top Tracks: “90's girl,” “Second prettiest girl (in the world),” “i suck at grieving”
Review by Bad Dad
Rancid – B Sides and C Sides
Epitaph Records / Pirate Press Records – 27 March 2024
This is a re-release on double LP vinyl. The track list spans from 1992-2004 and includes some soundtrack and comp songs as well as four songs not found elsewhere. There are some songs that are exactly what you have come to expect from the group and then there are some that stray off that path. The second track “Stop” is one of the most ska songs I feel Rancid has ever recorded. This leads right into a very rockabilly tune only found on this release “Devil's Dance”. There is even an instrumental track on this, so if you're not that into the standard Rancid sound, you may find a few tunes that surprise you on this.
Why you want it: If you're a big Rancid fan, then you may already have this digitally, but it's been hard to find on wax before now.
Why you don't: Some of these songs are “C” side songs as the album title is named, and if you're not a big fan of the band you may not care much for these. Also, the song “The Brothels” is a riff-off of the Ramones “I Don't Wanna Go Down To The Basement”, if that kind of thing rubs you the wrong way.
Top Tracks: “Stop”, “Things to Come”, “That's Entertainment”, “Brixton”
Review by RIZCHEX
Teens In Trouble – “What's Mine”
Asian Man Records – 29 Mar 2024
My opinion here might be a bit skewed as my first listen to this was also during the listening party on Bandcamp, so there was also a lot of chat in the text thread with Lizzie Killian, who provided a lot of backstory and commentary on the songs. Overall, another fun indie album from Teens in Trouble. It's definitely recommended if you are into the more garage-y, indie, dream-pop side of music, replete with catchy hooks and some nice composition. If I had a minor complaint, I would've preferred a little more oomph in the bass.
Why you want it: A damn fun album.
Why you don't: “Too poppy” is too much for your tastes.
Top Tracks: “Sick,” “Playlist”
Review by Jeff “The White Drew Carey” Sorley
Teens In Trouble – What's Mine
Asian Man Records – 29 Mar 2024
Hooooly Shit, what a fucking blast of dreamy pop delight!
Why you want it: No-filler, peachy keen bopper of harmonies and charming vocals that will certainly find itself on many album of the year lists.
Why you don't: I gotta be honest… I am sure there are people who wouldnt be into this pop brilliance. I just dont want to waste my time finding out what happened to make them so broken.
Top Tracks: “Playlist,” “Awkward Girl,” “In My Dreams”
Review by Bad Dad
The Veronicas- Gothic Summer
Big Noise Music Group – 22 Mar 2024
I fell in love with The Veronicas when I heard them cover Tracy Bonham, 20 years later it's fantastic watching them continue to set the standard for emo infused pop-stardom.
Why you want it: Hooky, punchy, nostalgic and so much god damned fun!
Why you don't: This is pop music, and if you're part of the punker-than-thou gatekeeper mindset go back to the only 3 Records you've deemed worthy and keep your too-cool-for-harmonies mouth shut.
Top Tracks: “Perfect,” “Jungle,” “Here To Dance”
Review by Bad Dad
Vial – burnout
Get Better Records – 29 Mar 2024
Follow up to 2021's absolutely amazing Loudmouth that is just as beautifully chaotic, equally charmer and slightly more funny.
Why you want it: All the fun, piss and vinegar of Bratmobile updated to kick today's audiences square in the dick.
Why you don't: Those whiny alpha males that cry about a wars on straight white Christian males are probably better off crying into their Trump Bibles. (Also, there were references to fucking a friend's dad and that was new thing I learned made me very uncomfortable, but it didn't take me out of my enjoyment for too long)
Top Tracks: “Just Fine” “Two Faced,” “Falling Short”
Review by Bad Dad
The What Nows?! – Neglected Objective
Riot Squad Media – 24 Mar 2024
PA 5-piece perfectly surfing the latest wave of ska-punk with some humor, with some social consciousness and with a whole shit ton of fun!
Why you want it: It's springtime, and in my opinion nothing brings about open windows season quite like delicious ska and progressive lyrics, exactly like The What Nows?! put out.
Why you don't: Are you still stuck sharing memes about ska and mozzarella Stix, thinking ska starts and ends with “Sellout”? You're a closeminded idiot and this is far too good for you
Top Tracks: “Broken Down,” “Old Pages,” “Worth It”
Review by Bad Dad