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.
Amyl and the Sniffers – “Cartoon Darkness”
Rough Trade Records – 25 October 2024
This unforgiving Australian punk bands third album full of sex charged, edgy, raw, banging ragers. Lead by Amy Taylor who sings with no remorse firing off forceful lyrics that basically tell you off.
Why you want it: This record doesn’t break new ground for the band but it also doesn’t just rehash more of the same. It expands on the provocative, angry, unrelenting sound from which the band is good at, and adds a little bit of refinement with lyrics that are more material, but doesn’t let you forget who they are.
Why you don’t: You may not want to play this for your kids or in the office.
Top Tracks: “Jerkin”, “It’s Mine”, “Pigs”
Review by RIZCHEX
Better Lovers – Highly Irresponsible
Sharptone Records- 25 October 2024
Brutal debut full-length from former members of Every Time I Die, Dillinger Escape Plan and Fit for an Autopsy that is so face-melting that they put a melting face in the album cover art.
Why you want it: This is a full-extension kick in the head level of aural violence. More mathy-metal than ETID, more thrashy punk than DEP, Highly Irresponsible is just a pure fucking assault.
Why you don’t: Not into the members’s previous bands? Then why the fuck would you think you’d be into this? Its great for what it is, but if what it is isn’t you want, don’t bother.
Top Tracks:“Everything Was Put Here For Me” “A White Horse Covered In Blood”
Review by Bad Dad
Condition Oakland – Comedians
Self-Released – 11 October 2024
Gravel-voiced folk-emo with delectable pop sensibilities and lyricism to rival anyone in the folk-punk scene.
Why you want it: Think Chuck Ragan singing Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties tunes with some Bruce Springsteen and Brian Fallon co-writing; its dirt roads, rural truck stops and progressive beliefs on full display.
Why you don’t: This isn’t for you if you want your vocals auto-tuned and pitch perfect. CO brings the timbre of shredded throat and blistered tongue.
Top Tracks: “Vipers” “Ruins” “70 Watts”
Review by Bad Dad
The Linda Lindas – “No Obligation”
Epitaph Records – 11 October 2024
The sophomore LP from the all-female young punk rockers. After a few more years of growing up, the groups second album shows more maturity in both the lyrics and sonically. This record is still filled with lighthearted and fun tunes, but there are more heavy deeper emotional fueled topics that speak to the fact that they are no longer teens and pre-teens and now entering adulthood or becoming closer too it. Songs like the title track “No Obligation” and “Excuse Me” expand on their gungy riot-girl sound first heard on the song “Racist, Sexist Boy” that introduced most of us to them. It might sound a little bit crazy to call such a young band “trailblazers” but I mean there is a song with Weird Al Yankavic playing the accordion.
Why you want it: They take what you have already come to love from the band and expand with deeper emotions, an older point of view, and a more polished sound.
Why you don’t: It might be a gateway for you or your child into Weird Al Yankovic.
Top Tracks: “No Obligation”, “Too Many Things”, “Resolution/Revolution”, “Nothing Would Change”, “Excuse Me”
Review by RIZCHEX
The Lookout – “I Know The Future”
Thousand Islands Records – 18 October 2024
I don’t know much about this female fronted punk rock band from Montreal Canada, but I feel like I have been missing out.
Why you want it: If you like bands like The Distillers, The Venomous Pinks, Joan Jett, and energetic punk rock that never lets up, then this is for you.
Why you don’t: It’s more rocky, less punky.
Top Tracks: “I Know The Future”, “Silvertrack”, “Acting Out”
Review by RIZCHEX
Pinhead Gunpowder – Unt
1234Go Records – 18 October 2024
Billie Joe Armstrong has been in something like 83 different side-projects, this one has always been my favorite because it’s consistently fucking delightful and everything I love about Green Day while still being fresh and new.
Why you want it: Stepping back from one of the biggest bands on earth creates an invigorated Billie Joe along with dudes from Crimpshrine, Fuel and Monsula… and that refreshed quartet is a fucking blast
Why you don’t: Do you still have a hemorrhoid about Green Day because they found success? Don’t listen to this, go play in traffic, the stick up your ass is pathetic at this stage in any of our lives.
Top Tracks: “Scum Of The Earth” “Hola Canada” “Oh My”
Review by Bad Dad
Pom Pom Squad – Mirror Starts Moving Without Me
City Slang – 25 October 2024
If 2021’s Death of A Cheerleader was Pom Pom Squad‘s coming out party, Mirror is sinking back into self-doubt and anxiety, an outstanding jaunt into self doubt and imposter syndrome that’ll keep your head down and your toe tapping.
Why you want it: A sincere pop masterpiece with all the dark emo influences to make it stand out amongst the bubblegum brainrot that exists on TikTok and my daughter’s Spotify playlist.
Why you don’t: Are you so punk and your asshole puckered so tight you only have room for one pop star and your not ready to give up your Taylor, Olivia or Sabrina? The brilliance here may cause an existential crisis.
Top Tracks: “Villain” “Street Fighter” “Doll House” “Montauk”
Review by Bad Dad
Racist Kramer – “Covergirls”
Matchbook Records – 25 October 2024
Punk cover songs of Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift, Whitney Houston, Garbage, and taking it way back to 1963 with Martha and the Vandellas.
Why you want it: These aren’t just sped up versions of the originals, Racist Kramer makes these songs their own. See if you can spot the NOFX lyrics slipped into “Heat Wave”. Also, if you’re into motocross, these guys sponsored the Wildcat Race Team so give them some love.
Why you don’t: Maybe you just can’t get past their band name.
Top Tracks: “9 to 5”, “Heat Wave”, “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)”
Review by RIZCHEX
Stuck Lucky – Counting Curses
Ska Punk International – 08 October 2024
Apparently these folks have been around for a long time, five records long, but this is my first time but I missed out on the spooky-ooky ska-core until now, so let me admit how disappointed in myself I am, because this shit is perfect for Haloween season (and the rest of Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer, too) .
Why you want it: Like pineapple on pizza, goth and ska-core don’t sound like they belong together but God dammit all, once you try it there is no denying how tasty it is. Stuck Lucky just made me fall in love with another unlikely couple.
Why you don’t: You have to really hate ska, punk and Samhain to not find something you can get behind here… but there’s stupid people everywhere so maybe you just fall outside this Venn diagram of delight.
Top Tracks: “Dead Inside,” “Heretics,” “What The Monsters Did,” “Just Like The Devil”
Review by Bad Dad
Thiev – grow EP
People Of Punk Rock Records – 09 October 2024
Students of the game bridging NJ Melodic hardcore with Garden State pop-punk tendencies; custom-made for the Warped Tour return.
Why you want it: I started going to firehouse and basement shows in Jersey in the mid-90s, the scene hit it’s stride a few years later and these Jersey kids would fit perfectly on a bill with Bigwig and Midtown.
Why you don’t: They are a young band, and it can shine through in their lyrics sometimes. If you aren’t willing to give grace, you may want to wait another year for their lyrics to fully catch up to their riffage…
Top Tracks: It’s 3 songs, listen to them all, thank me later.
Review by Bad Dad
