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.
Bullitz 23 – Burn EP
Tartan Rex – 01 August 2024
This is the debut EP for Bullitz 23 with members of Ex-Cathedra and Suicide Bid. Featuring raspy Scottish vocals over raw punk with some horns on the first track.
Why you want it: If you are a fan of groups is like Blitz, Stiff Little Fingers, Cock Sparrer, or Sham 69.
Why you don’t: You don’t like the above bands.
Top Tracks: “Burn”, “Still Not Dead”
Review by RIZCHEX
Diva Bleach – We Don’t Talk About It EP
InVogue Records – 19 July 2024
Aggressively-poppy blast of brash and brat delight.
Why you want it: These are confident young women putting out tunes perfect for the soundtrack to the brat summer beach party scene in your favorite teen movie
Why you don’t: This is 2024 and if you are still denying that Avril Lavigne and the Josie and The Pussycats Soundtrack were pretty damn fun, you aren’t ready for Diva Bleach.
Top Tracks: “Kiss Her Goodbye,” “Hate Me”
Review by Bad Dad
Four Year Strong – Analysis Paralysis
Pure Noise Records – 9 Aug 2024
Easycore icons don’t move back, don’t move forward but certainly make strong lateral move on newest album.
Why you want it: The album is a grower not a shower for sure, first listen I hated it, third listen it’s grown on me, 5th listen I love this thing!
Why you don’t: You gotta get through the original listen and the associated doldrums before you begin to recognize how good it is.
Top Tracks: “Uncooked,” “Dead End Friend”
Review by Bad Dad
Sammy Kay – July 1960
Sell The Heart Records – 19 July 2024
The Ohio/Jersey troubador drops his first solo album in 5 years and hot dog, is it a revelation!
Why you want it: Acoustic folk-punk, ska-influenced cowpunk, emo-cana, whatever the fuck you wanna call it, this shit is an emotional and delightful catharsis of blue-collar love, loss and life.
Why you don’t:This is likely to find its way onto many Album of the year lists, including mine but those goofballs who think punk needs to be loud and brash probably aren’t going to appreciate the rawness and beauty.
Review by Bad Dad
Kills Across The River – Attention Economy
Strange Fat Records – 30 Aug 2024
10 catchy, beautiful and smart tracks with hints of harmonious wistfulness and bittersweet nostalgia.
Why you want it: I discovered it thanks to a post by Skating Polly recommending the album… sure there was some nepotism in the referral, but musical talent runs in the bloodlines for sure!
Why you don’t: There’s a nostalgic feel to this. If MTV circa mid 90s wasn’t your scene, the nostalgic vibes may not be up your alley.
Top Tracks: “Dimestore Domestic Hero,” “Sneak Into Your Smile”
Review by Bad Dad
Los Campesinos – All Hell
Heart Swell – 19 July 2024
England’s newly minted indie rock elder statesmen drop their most third-wavy emo record.
Why you want it: Take the musical acumen of Sunny Day Real Estate, mix in a dash of Ricky Gervais’ dark humor and blend in the pub-crawl storytelling of The Hold Steady.
Why you don’t: The band made waves with the stellar Romance Is Boring. This Isn’t that record. (Crazy the way maturation happens over 15 years, huh?)
Top Tracks: “Coin-Op Guillotine,” “Feast Of Tongues”
Review by Bad Dad
My Cousin’s Girlfriends House – All For Love & All For Nothing
Heading East Records – 07 August 2024
Melodic Power Pop-Punk, self-described as bridging the gap between Blink 182 and The Foo Fighters, but I think they are selling themselves short.
Why you want it: The songs have good energy and great production sound.
Why you don’t: Some of the lyrics are a little hard to follow the meaning of and their sound may be too similar to music you have heard before.
Top Tracks: “All For Love & All For Nothing”, “Frost Bite”
Review by RIZCHEX
Night Fury – Go Wild
Self-Released – 17 November 2023
Imagine The Go-Gos performing Rocky Horror Picture Show… its a fucking blast!
Why you want it: Strong, smart and clever theatrical pop-punk that will sneak into your ear and have you shaking your ass long after the music stops.
Why you don’t: well… Some weak-livered dude-bro pricks get puckered buttholes over confident young women putting out killer tunes… fuck ‘em
Top Tracks: “Real Men (Get Pegged!,) “Dead Yet?” “Grenadine Zombie”
Review by Bad Dad
Nova Charisma – Metropolitan
Equal Vision Records – 9 Aug 2024
Members of Hail The Sun, Eidola, Dance Gavin Dance and more team up to bring forth the most arena ready post-hardcore jams since the Relationship of Command.
Why you want it: Unimaginably technical riffage underscores the soaring vocal acrobats of Donovan Melero.
Why you don’t: Boundaries are pushed almost to their breaking point, this is a record that will make you uncomfortable in its brilliance.
Top Tracks:“Prophet,” “Smoking Gun At The Metropolitan”
Review by Bad Dad
Restroyer – Restroyer
People Of Punk Rock Records – 20 June 2024
Remember those surprisingly great tracks you fell in love with on the Punk-O-Rama and Fat Music comps, the ones you just kept on repeat… this record is 10 of those tracks in one place
Why you want it: Its like when Rise Against, Millencolin and Lagwagon were still young and hungry.
Why you don’t: Did you hear the Tony Hawk Pro Skater Soundtracks and go, “eh, it shreds too hard”? You may struggle here too.
Top Tracks: “Rager” “Wrong Keys” “Whose Kidneys Are These?”
Review by Bad Dad
Semi-Famous – Destroy Ourselves
Duck! Records – 26 July 2024
Jughead of Screeching Weasel creates an all-star collective with members of The Unseen, Mixtapes and Poli Van Dam to craft throwback pop-punk in the vain of everything great about Lookout Records!
Why you want it: Look at this fucking roster and their pedigree! Get your shit together, hit play below, fall in love, tell your friends, thank TGEFM later.
Why you don’t: This is pop-punk in the style of The Queers, The Dwarves, Mr T Experience… if your version of pop-punk is a bit more polished and Drive-Thru Records-y, this isn’t the pop you’re looking for.
Top Tracks: “Obvious” “Clown In The Window”
Review by Bad Dad
Suburban Eyes – Suburban Eyes
Spartan Records – 30 Aug 2024
The kids from Christie Front Drive, Boys Life, Mineral and The Gloria Record aren’t kids anymore.
Why you want it: Second wave emo taste-makers embrace textures melodies and matured sounds.
Why you don’t: You’re not getting any of the sound you thought you knew based on past projects, don’t let your preconceived notions ruin it for you.
Top Tracks: “Headlight Torches,” “Uncomplicated Lives”
Review by Bad Dad
Various Artists – Loud Women Volume 6
Loud Women – 02 August 2024
This is a collection of bands and artist who have played LOUD WOMEN’s events. LOUD WOMEN is a not-for-profit initiative for supporting women on stage.
Why you want it: You’ll most likely discover some kick ass women fronted punk bands that you haven’t heard before.
Why you don’t: There are a few electronic songs towards the end that might not appeal to everyone.
Top Tracks: “Throw Me In The Pit”, “Before Friday”, “Bookends”
Review by RIZCHEX
Various Artists – Master of Trumpets
Pookout Records – 16 August 2024
You know I wasn’t going to miss this one, ska covers of metal songs, I’m in!
Why you want it: Did I mention this is ska bands like Suicide Machines, Hans Gruber & the Die Hards, Voodoo Glow Skulls, covering bands like Metallica, Slayer, Faith No More, and Megadeth, do I need to say more?
Why you don’t: The last track is more of a jazz song than a ska song.
Top Tracks: “Blackened”, “From Out of Nowhere”, “Institutionalized”, “Aces High”
Review by RIZCHEX
