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.
Have an album or release you want reviewed? Send it to us HERE.
Ann Beretta – RISE
Self Released – 18 Feb 2022
Richmond punks release first new material since 2003, show no signs of aging or rust.
Why you want it: A refreshing revival of everything that made the quartet one of the best of its era, new ears and nostalgic lenses will be equally thrilled with the modernity and classic sound on RISE
Why you don’t: Quite hard to hear this and not think its for everyone. If the pre-Wentz FBR sound didn’t do it for you, maybe skip the record in favor of another viewing of Nightmare Before Christmas.
Top Tracks: “The Real America (S.O.S.),” “Get Up, Let’s Go”
Review by Bad Dad
Circa Survive – A Dream About Death
Rise Records – 04 Feb 2022
Anthony Green and the rest of Circa Survive are geniuses, sadly I accept that I am far too stupid to understand this EP.
Why you want it: Ethereal, complex and everything I wish I have the mental capacity to enjoy.
Why you don’t: Its thinking person’s prog-core, and its audience think deeper than most.
Top Tracks: “Curitibia”
Review by Bad Dad
Dashboard Confessional – All The Trust That I Can Tell
Hidden Note Records – 25 Feb 2022
The emo hearthrob/troubador who launched 1000 nautical star tattoos is back with his heart still firmly planted on his sleeve.
Why you want it: A return to the Swiss Army sound of DC, for better or worse.
Why you don’t: To me, this is still nothing more shitty middle school poetry bawled by a grown man.
Top Tracks: “Sunshine State” “Here’s to Moving On”
Review by Bad Dad
Dead American – New Nostalgia
Velocity Records – 11 Feb 2022
Cove Reber returns to post-hardcore world with new band and debut album ripped straight out of 2006.
Why you want it: Aptly titled, the album is made for modern times while relying on nostalgia at every turn.
Why you don’t: There’s a reason nobody new is doing this as well as 15 years ago, clean production hurts the value
Top Tracks: “Just Let Go” “Not Buying In”
Review by Bad Dad
NOBRO – Live Your Truth Shred Some Gnar
Dine Alone Records – 25 Feb 2022
Catchy, gritty and fist down your gullet rock and roll from the quartet
Why you want it: The album title tells us the goal… and the goal has been far fucking exceeded here.
Why you don’t: NOBRO’s sound is hard to define, hopping from punk to garage to acoustic, and that scares some halfwits. Don’t be a halfwit.
Top Tracks: “Eat Slay Chardonay,” “Bye Bye Baby”
Review by Bad Dad
Playing Dead – Something to Tide You Over
Self-Released – 22 Feb 2022
Fantastic and fun pop-punk romp full of mixed gender vocals and soaring melodies.
Why you want it: I’m not sure what wave of emo we are on, but Playing Dead is set to shred the next one. (but seriously is this the fifth wave? I’m going with fifth wave)
Why you don’t: If you never fell in love with the early 00’s Long Island sound, you probably won’t enjoy this fantastic update to it.
Top Tracks: “Paid In Full,” “Stay Home” “No Apologies”
Review by Bad Dad
Roughneck Riot – Burn It To The Ground
SBAM Records – 18 Feb 2022
Outstanding, angry, Celtic folk-punk that demands to be played very fucking loud.
Why you want it: Somehow you can hear the banjos and mandolins sneer and spit in your face… its fucking beautiful.
Why you don’t: Celtic punk attracts a generic pub-rock element that will be disappointed by the layered approach of Roughneck Riot.
Top Tracks: “Cognitive Dissonance” “Fuck’s Sake”
Review by Bad Dad
Bad Dad (occasionally called Ed) has been on the periphery of the punk and punk-adjacent scene for over twenty years. While many contributors to this site have musical experience and talent, Ed’s musical claim to fame comes from his time in arguably the most punk rock Blockbuster Video district in NJ where he worked alongside members of Blanks 77, Best Hit TV and Brian Fallon. He is more than just an awful father to his 2 daughters, he is also a dreadful husband, a subpar writer, a terrible dresser and has a severe deficiency in all things talent… but hey, at least he’s self-aware, amirite?
Check out the pathetic attempts at photography on his insta at https://www.instagram.com/bad_dad_photography/
