First Impressions is a collection of whiz-bang reviews of singles, 7″s, and shorter EPs, which are given a review after a single listen. This is a great way for TGEFM to showcase some of the releases which wouldn't get a full review on their own.
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Much Madness – “Rubber Tramp”
Self-released, 22 January 2022
Iowa's Much Madness has a cool song on hand with “Rubber Tramp”. The song pounds along at a mid-tempo stomp with simple straight-forward guitar riffs, bass hooks, and the ragged melodic lead vocals singing a tale of cutting ties and hitting the road. And behind the din are female backing vocals that go between a “never gonna never gonna go back” refrain and some sweet “ooh's”. It sounds so simple, but the way the songs sound shifts when the crashes give way to some simple ride as those backing vocals change their mantra hits so right.
Review by RYAN
The Hallingtons – “Your Boy”
Self-released, 21 January 2022
From jump, “Your Boy” oozes catchy melody. Norway's The Hallingtons play Ramones and Beach Boys-indebted pop punk with tight, hooky instrumentation, snappy snare hits and handclaps. The guitars have a bit of a buzzsaw feel to them with leads emerging throughout to add more melody mimicry. And then there's the vocals. The lead vocals sound fantastic and super catchy (especially the “I-I-I-I-I, wanna be your boy” parts) and the backing vocals create all sorts of great harmonies and repetition parts that're bouncing around my brain.
Review by RYAN
Superchunk – “This Night”
Merge Records, 19 January 2022
Superchunk's newest single from their upcoming album, “This Night”, is another relatively restrained affair. The composition, the lyrics, the dialed-down instruments, and even the melody are hinting at a less-rambunctious Superchunk than what typically gets me going. There's synth (I think) that sounds almost orchestral in parts, an acoustic guitar playing a gorgeous lead over some violins, and all sorts of other surprises. If you wanna hear the band buzz, this won't do the trick. But the song is gorgeous and a sort of earworm that feels warm and comfortable.
Review by RYAN
The Rieslinger – “Vaxxed Up With Spritzer”
Laptop Punk Records, 23 January 2022
I've liked the Rieslinger stuff I've heard so far. This new song has a bunch of drive to it and is catchy melodic pop punk. The verse vocal melody is a winner. And the lead guitar and the repeated words on the bridge keeps the hummable parts going. When it gets to the chorus, the drums go double-time as gravelly hollers of the “vaxxed up with spritzer” ping pong across the music. It's a memorable number that sits well with me. I'll be back to hear this one again.
Review by RYAN
ryan is a reviewer and news editor for TGEFM. He's very secretive, he might be an alien.
