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.
All Systems Go – “Finding Closure”
19 February 2025
As far as I can tell there is no relation with the 1998-2006 punk supergroup All Systems Go! and with this band. If you are familiar with the former namesake, this is similar in music style with melodic catchy lyrics and punchy drums. It’s only 4 songs and it’s only $4.
Why you want it: The first song is about the TV show “My Name Is Earl”, but if that is not enough, it’s got good sound, well written lyrics, and it’s just fun.
Why you don’t: Maybe too melodic?
Top Tracks: “Hey, Crabman!”, “Everything Going Well is a Bad Thing, Right?”
Review by Rizchex
Amber Pacific – “All In”
Manic Kat Records – 14 February 2025
A decade after their last release, criminally underrated act unfairly relegated to Warped Tour side stages return without any rust.
Why you want it: Take a chance to re-explore The Possibility & The Promise and relive the Fading Days of pop-punk nostalgia
Why you don’t: One of the problems with return albums is that artists can focus too much on a return to form and not enough on demonstrating growth. Amber Pacific falls victim to putting out a record that can feel more dated (musically and lyrically) than nostalgic.
Top Tracks: “Afloat” “SOS” “Young And Reckless”
Review by Bad Dad
Anxious – “Bambi”
Run For Cover Records – 21 February 2025
Anxious follows up their stunning debut Little Green House with a stunning sophomore effort. No slump here. The maturation between records feels like the difference between Your Favorite Weapon and Deja Entendu… but ya know, without all the ick.
Why you want it: Little Green House was my favorite release in 2022. The band took that brilliance and built it up, fuller, more lush soundscapes, leaps and bounds of lyrical growth and just delightful intertwining of hardcore, pop and indie influences.
Why you don’t: I dunno, friend, i think there’s a little something big built in here for everyone. Give it a spin and prove me wrong, I guess.
Top Tracks: “Counting Sheep” “Never Said”
Review by Bad Dad
Bite Me Bambi – “Eat This”
Consigliere – 14 February 2025
Tuck your napkin into your collar and slide in your chair for a delicious 8 course meal featuring tasty ska grooves, refreshing vocals, balanced fuck yous and heaps of appetizing ass-shaking, ass-kicking morsels start to finish.
Why you want it: Early front-runner for ska album of the year, Bite Me Bambi lyrically take out the trash while melodically serving delightful grooves.
Why you don’t: You’re not going to find unseriousness here. BMB are going to tell you that shit is rough, toxic females suck, noxious males suck and there are just too many fucking people around.
Top Tracks: “Gaslighter’s Anthem” “Girls Like You” Too Many People”
Review by Bad Dad
Blanket of M – “Finger Forest E.P.”
14 February 2025
Aggressive and raw old school punk, think Turbonegro meets Discharge with a little The Misfits sprinkled in.
Why you want it: Fast, raw, distorted guitars,
Why you don’t: If you are only into melodic pop-punk, this might not be for you.
Top Tracks: “Dictator”, “Cross My Heart”
Review by Rizchex
City Escape Artist – “Modern Day Ghost”
Allegedly Records – 21 February 2025
Politically active So-Cal skate punk, working class Pittsburgh punk and Orange County guy-liner-core walked into a bar… (no joke, it works really fucking well).
Why you want it: Does the idea of Good Riddance meets Avenged Sevenfold sound like your cup of tea? If so give it spin.
Why you don’t: Does the idea of Bad Religion meets Atreyu sound like your cup of tea? If not, don’t give it spin.
Top Tracks: “FK’D” “Passageway” “Tyrannical Teens”
Review by Bad Dad
Cryogeyser – “Cryogeyser”
Self-Released – 14 February 2025
I don’t even know how to describe this (other than to say I enjoy it)… it’s like the perfect soundtrack to the late 90s WB dark/broody teen dramas (a little more Buffy than Roswell). In other words, its the most sun-kissed shoegaze ever put to tape.
Why you want it: Cryogeyser features the perfect balance of brilliance and brooding. I was incredibly impressed by the way i was immediately transported back to turn of millenia angst and introspection with this record.
Why you don’t: This seems tailor-made for elder millenials and the current nostalgia aimed at that demographic. Some people don’t want to confront the past and, while I don’t agree with that mindset, I can’t say it’s wrong either.
Top Tracks: “Stargirl” “Blue Light”
Review by Bad Dad
Eevie Echoes & The Locations – “Cart Studio Live Session”
13 February 2025
This is a four song EP which you may have guessed by the name is a live record recorded at Philadelphia’s Cart Studio. The album has a mix of punk, power-pop, grunge, and little sprinkle of ska.
Why you want it: Not only does this sound great for a live recording, but it is very powerful both musically and lyrically.
Why you don’t: If you are reading this you probably are not anti-LGBTQIA but if by chance you are, skip this, and probably everything else here.
Top Tracks: “Let Me Be A Mess”, “I Just Wanna Pee”
Review by Rizchex
Ill Gotten Gains – “Odes to the troublemakers”
14 February 2025
This 5-piece skacore band from England just released their first new record since 2016 and it rips!
Why you want it: Skacore can be hit or miss with some people, even though the first track is titled “Miss Fire”, this one is a hit! Even if you don’t like skacore you might like this.
Why you don’t: It might be too good for some skacore fans.
Top Tracks: “Miss Fire”, “Let it Go”, “Eat Or Heat”
Review by Rizchex
Killing Daisies – “Echoes Of Tomorrow”
Thousand Islands Records – 28 February 2025
That hard-charged and fast skate punk we’ve loved for decades with a few new tricks and twists.
Why you want it: It’s like post-Trump Tilt but with even better harmonies and a bit more poison on the tongue.
Why you don’t: Stay away if your idea of the Warped Tour sound starts and ends with Bullet For My Valentine and Black Veil Brides. Killing Daisies perfected the sound that “real” Warped Tour was built upon.
Top Tracks: “In Pieces” “One For All”
Review by Bad Dad
The Rumjacks – “Dead Anthems”
Four Four Records – 7 February 2025
There’s a drinking song for every emotion from these high energy celt-punks vets.
Why you want it: There’s a reason members of The Rumjacks have toured with Dropkick Murphys and why Ken Casey appears on this record. They are kindred spirits and its not at all unrealistic to say that if The Departed was set in Sydney rather than Southie, The Rumjacks could be the most famous pro-union working class Celtic punk outift on earth.
Why you don’t: oh stop it… it’s nearly St Paddy’s, you need some hard drinking songs, some sad drinking songs and some celebratory drinking songs. Dead Anthems has them all.
Top Tracks:“Come Hell Or High Water” “ “An Irish Goodbye On St Valentines Day” “Cold Like This”
Review by Bad Dad
Silverstein – “Antibloom”
UNFD – 21 February 2025
Do you know how fucking rare it is that a band can be around for 25 years and still put out a record that sounds this fresh?
Why you want it: This record far exceeded all of my expectations for a 12th full-length thanks to it’s lush soundscapes, full bodied aggression and the balls to continue to stretch their sound.
Why you don’t: Yes, these Canadiens continue to show growth in each release… but Silverstein is Silverstein is Silverstein. I can’t imagine anyone who wasn’t into the band for the last 25 years is going to wake up to Antibloom and suddenly become a big fan.
Top Tracks: “Confession” “Mercy Mercy”
Review by Bad Dad
Various Artists – “Comp Punksylvania Vol 4 Live”
DCxPC Live – 14 February 2025
Wish you could’ve made to last year’s Camp Punksylvania 3-day festival, but couldn’t manage the travel to North Eastern PA? Well, DCxPC has you covered with this absolute banger of a comp featuring some of the best performances on the Riot Stage from 2024.
Why you want it: Each one of these artists has the power and potential to become your new favorite live act, and thanks to Riot Squad Media, Mr P, Garret Price and DCxPC Live you don’t have to leave the comfort of your home… (but you should probably get tickets for 2025, its an absurd lineup).
Why you don’t: I did find myself longing for the water gun fight with Car Bomb Parade, the dusty circle pits of Suburban Downgrade and the wigs and wig-outs from The Karens, but if you can get past the pining for Camp, this is an awesome appetizer to hold us over for the next couple of months.
Top Tracks: Mary Shelley – “Going To The Beach” SOJI-“First Take” Amora-“Sacrament The Chemical Imbalance – “AAAAHHHH!!!!/Of Shell and Claw” The Whiskey Bats – “35MM For Life” No Complyance – “Dead City
Review by Bad Dad
Winona Fighter – “My Apologies to the Chef”
Rise Records – 14 February 2025
Bad Dad already did a full review of this album, but I didn’t want to miss my chance to say how good this is. High powered vocals, great riffs, in your face drumming, it’s rusty and polished at the same time.
Why you want it: It might be your favorite new album, at least from 2025.
Why you don’t: You don’t like fantastic music, for real, it you haven’t heard this, stop what you are doing (you are likely reading this) and put this record on.
Top Tracks: “Hamms in a Glass”, “R U Famous”, “Wlbrn St Tvrn”
Review by Rizchex
Thanks a lot for including us in this
Thank you for your review
My Name is Earl fan, real recognizes real
Fuck yeah! Thanks!