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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Baltic Avenue Neighborhood Watch – Have a Nice Weekend
03 September 2024
This is a two cover EP, one about Saturday and one about Sunday. The first is a cover of a fun band out of Charlotte, NC, called Dollar Signs and the other from a band you No Doubt have heard of before.
Why you want it: Fast, fun, silly, and it’s about having fun on the weekend.
Why you don’t: No original songs.
Top Tracks: “Sadderday”, “Sunday Morning”
Review by RIZCHEX
The Calamatix – The Calamatix
Hellcat – 20 September 2024
If you’re not a snowboarder like me and are not that excited about it being officially fall, this record will give you warm summer vibes. It’s early ska rocksteady sound with a heavy reggae feel, a little bit jazzy, a little blues, a slight pinch of punk, and a little bit of soul that will sooth your mind and take you back to warm summer days. Even if you live in Phoenix and you don’t want any more warm summer days, put this album on, crank up the AC, grab a tropical drink, and you will be feeling better.
Why you want it: This record beautifully blends the best of ska and reggae with touches of punk, hip-hop, and new wave sounds that everyone can enjoy.
Why you don’t: If you are looking for mosh pit skankin ska-punk, then you may want to pass on this one.
Top Tracks: “Still Rudy”, “Rootstyle”, “Boom Bap”, “Tupelo Honey (Van Morrison cover)”
Review by RIZCHEX
Cursive – Devourer
Run For Cover Records – 13 September 2024
Cursive have never released a bad record and that unbeaten streak remains in place.
Why you want it: Angular and structure, dissonant and melodic, this examination of middle age shows Tim Kasher and company continuing to grow while revisiting their classic sound.
Why you don’t: This record is more Happy Hollow than Get Fixed. For me that’s a ringing endorsement, but that’s not how everyone will feel.
Top Tracks: “Bloodbather,” “What The Fuck”
Review by Bad Dad
Laura Jane Grace and the Mississippi Medicals – Give An Inch
Polyvinyl – 6 September 2024
This fucking banger of truck-stop punk is somehow both undeniably LJG and a complete departure from what you’d expect from her.
Why you want it: Expand your comfort zone, let yourself go and find yourself completely infatuated by these 6 tracks.
Why you don’t: This is Ms Grace at her finest, but its not LJG’s solo records, its not Against Me! If you’re looking for more of the same old Laura Jane Grace, you’ve come to the wrong place.
Top Tracks: “RazorBlade Blues,” “All Fucked Out”
Review by Bad Dad
Kill Lincoln – No Normal
Bad Time Records – 27 September 2024
11 high energy, high passion, high brilliance from the flag-bearers in the modern Ska movement
Why you want it: You should know what Kill Lincoln is all about by now, but imagine Less Than Jake or Suicide Machines openly advocating for mental health awareness.
Why you don’t: If you’re listening to ska ironically or focusing only on that late 90’s silly ska sound, this ain’t it.
Top Tracks: “I’m Fine (I Lied)” “Roll Me Away”
Review by Bad Dad
The Last Gang – Obscene Daydreams
Fat Wreck Chords – 20 September 2024
This is the 3rd LP from LA’s The Last Gang and is geared towards the current state of their lives and the world around them. Not only do the songs rip, but songs like “NRA Back 2 School” doesn’t hold back with lyrics that rip into America’s school shooting problem and lack of gun control. Songs of inclusiveness and diversity, shit talking, and even one with a touch of ska influence are found on this album.
Why you want it: If you like fast and heavy music pared with raspy dirty vocals, singing melodic punk lyrics about current state of affairs.
Why you don’t: You thought “Electric Avenue”, “Rumors”, and “Madness”, were going to be 80’s cover versions of the Eddy Grant, Timex Social Club, and The Selector songs.
Top Tracks: “Electric Avenue”, “NRA Back 2 School”, “Madness”
Review by RIZCHEX
Many Eyes – The Light Age
Perseverance Media Group – 6 September 2024
Keith Buckley’s post-Every Time I Die debut is less chaotic and more boring than ETID, and I think thats why I loved it so much
Why you want it: Toning down the hardcore and amping up the arena-friendly, driving riffs help show off Buckley’s talents and bolster his future success.
Why you don’t: Its got some distinct SiriusXM Octane Radio vibes.
Top Tracks: “Harbinger,” “Revelation”
Review by Bad Dad
Massive Nightmares – Massive Nightmares
Self-Released – 6 September 2024
Power-punk quartet’s clean and powerful EP with tasty hooks and foot-tapping melodies.
Why you want it: Displaying a wide skillset and uncanny knack for writing a song that builds immediate connections to the listeners, this is a 4-piece I have huge expectations for.
Why you don’t: We’ve all had that embarrassing moment where we are caught rocking out when caught at a stoplight. Well, these little bops are certain to get you singing and drumming along, eventually leding to a repeat of that embarrassment. You’ve been warned.
Top Tracks: “Stick Around” “Worth It”
Review by Bad Dad
Origami Angel – Feeling Not Found
CounterIntuitive Records – 27 September 2024
I really wish this came out a few years ago because I think I would’ve loved it had I not found it to be a step back from last year’s The Brightest Days.
Why you want it: The glimpses of brilliance are plentiful, the musical technicality is unmatched.
Why you don’t: The glimpses of brilliance are rivaled by the glimpses of mediocrity and void of consistency.
Top Tracks: “Fruit Wine”
Review by Bad Dad
The Sensations / Hans Gruber and the Die Hards – Tokyo Two Step
Ska Punk International Records – 3 September 2024
What you get is two songs from The Sensations and two from Hans Gruber and the Die Hards. Both are high energy ska-core bands with The Sensations being a little more upbeat and lighthearted.
Why you want it: If you’re a Hocus Pocus movie fan the last track “I Put A Spell On You” is worth it alone, but the other tracks hold their own also.
Why you don’t: I couldn’t think of any reason other than it’s only four songs.
Top Tracks: “Magic Call”, “I Put A Spell On You”
Review by RIZCHEX
The Slackers – What We Gonna Do Now? / Pick and Choose
Pirates Press Records – 20 September 2024
It’s only a two track EP but you can get it on 12” vinyl so no need for a 45 record adapter.
Why you want it: It’s what you have come to expect from The Slackers, upbeat, jazzy, smooth, head bopping music, with a political message you almost don’t notice because the song is so good.
Why you don’t: If you have truly never heard The Slackers before, maybe don’t start with this EP, unless you just want some motivation to vote anti MAGA.
Top Tracks: “What We Gonna Do Now?”
Review by RIZCHEX
Space Age Zeros – Strange New World
Mystic Records – 13 September 2024
This Chicago area group features one of our own contributors Jason Zero (Baygood) and have just released their debut LP. Self-described as Punk Rock Power Pop, and likened to bands like The Ramones, Screeching Weasel, Material Issue, Cheap Trick, and I would add The Queers to that list. 12 tracks that contain catchy lyrics about growing older, change, and memories of the past. Recorded at the Bombshelter Recording Studio in Chicago with Dan (Mr Precision) Wleklinski (88 Fingers Louie).
Why you want it: None of the songs styles and influences are stapled down, they are more held together loosely with paper clips, keeping you entertained and asking what’s coming next.
Why you don’t: Although there is good variety, overall it has a old-school punk feel, if that’s not your thing.
Top Tracks: “Merry Go Round”, “The World is Yours”, “Jet Lagged”, “Sister Golden Hair (1975 America cover song)”
Review by RIZCHEX
Sweet Anne Marie – Spent
self-released – 6 September 2024
Delightful singer-songwriter with all the talent to be the next indie darling once the exposure comes in.
Why you want it: The same talents and traits that made Fiona Apple and Phoebe Bridgers breakout stars are here in spades.
Why you don’t: These cuts aren’t the easiest to two-step to, so if that’s your kink Sweet Anne Marie may be the wrong path.
Top Tracks: “Pyrite,” “Good Luck”
Review by Bad Dad
Tiny Ships – Peek
Glass Bottles Entertainment – 6 September 2024
A trio of NJ scene vets step out of the genre for a brilliant jaunt into 90’s alt nostalgia, laced with themes of mental health and PMA.
Why you want it: An alt-rock masterpiece in 7 parts, a beacon calling to those of us waiting at the waterfront for musical deliverance.
Why you don’t: I don’t know if there is a reason you don’t want it, because its really fucking fantastic! That said, I do have a significant complaint… Only 7 songs?! This is too good to be this truncated.
Top Tracks: “Fear the Blur” “You’re Not Right” “Tiny Ships In Glass Bottles”
Review by Bad Dad
Various Artists- A Whole New Sound
Disney Music – 6 September 2024
Pop-punk acts cover Disney classics with varying levels of success
Why you want it: You know if Punk Goes Disney is for you. Meet Me @ The Altar are perfect with “You’ve Got A Friend In Me”
Why you don’t: You know if Punk Goes Disney isn’t for you. Plain White T’s disappoint on “Surface Pressure”
Top Tracks: Meet Me @ The Altar “Youve Got a Friend In Me”, L0L0 “Let It Go”
Review by Bad Dad
