First Impressions is a collection of whiz-bang reviews of singles, 7″s, EPs, and LPs which are given a review after a single listen. This is a great way for TGEFM to showcase some of the releases which may not get a full review on their own.
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Fish – “Th’ Drain”
Laptop Punk Records, 07 Jul 2022
Fish (Tantrum, of The Lily Livers) has a new polka-pop number that plays with organs and pops along with an almost oompa-bounce. The song has nice catchiness to the vocal phrasings and the words seem to sing a meaningful message of being who you are and finding goodness in just that. For those expecting the Replacements-meets-Ramones slop-punk of Lily Livers, this one will catch you off guard. But the song is a fun and expressive one that will rightfully catch the ear of those who give it a try.
Review by RYAN
Short Straps – “Short Straps”
High End Denim Records, 19 Jul 2022
I don’t know Short Straps, having never heard them before. On this 4-song EP, the band is well-produced, but not too clean. The vocals are prominent in the mix and fit in well with the music. Opener “Tomorrow” goes quick, downshifts at times, and does the stop-and-go thing okay. The slower stomper “Escape Plan ‘88” has a little more distinct character and some terrific bass. The final two, “Trading In” and “Take This Job”, remind me a bit of Bouncing Souls. Even though the latter nearly hits the 4 minute mark, it stands out as a knockout song.
Favorite Song: “Escape Plan ‘88”
Review by RYAN
A Vulture Wake – “Lost Cause of the Year”
Thousand Islands Records, 19 Jul 2022
A Vulture Wake’s newest song opens with a melodic swing and mosey. The guitars are almost soft and Chad Price’s vocals sound great. The song goes between openness and mutedness with gorgeous guitar leads firing off in different directions while drums fill with rolls. This isn’t a speedy number at all, instead it almost feels like a meandering late-night emo song. I was surprised by this, but I think I kinda like it when I’m in the right headspace.
Review by RYAN
Archers of Loaf – “In The Surface Noise”
Merge Records, 18 Jul 2022
I’ve always been drawn to Archers of Loaf stuff. The new song, “In The Surface Noise”, comes from the upcoming Reason in Decline. The song opens with shutter-effect guitars and singer Eric Bachmann holds a commanding court with his croon. The rhythms hold down the fort, but not in a straight-ahead propulsive fashion. That said, I’m struggling to get into this one. “In The Surface Noise” feels grandiose and I’m weirdly reminded of The National. I guess I just want the rambunctiousness of their earlier stuff.
Review by RYAN
Slipknot – “The Dying Song (Time To Sing)”
Self-released, 20 Jul 2022
I find myself weirdly interested in Slipknot. The percussion and raw intensity routinely draws me in. “The Dying Song (Time To Sing)” alternates between a mid-tempo stomp and a slowed crawl, set off by eerie guitar tones that go over the heavy chugs. I like the growling vocals, but am turned away by the clean chorus sections. The parts I like are good, but I’m not sure they overcome the comedown when the chorus hits. I think this is what they’re going for, making this a classic “it’s not you, it’s me” situation.
Review by RYAN
OFF! – “War Above Los Angeles”
Fat Possum Records, 27 Jul 2022
Hardcore supergroup OFF! have been good at grabbing my attention when they make some sporadic blurt of angsty noise. The new “War Above Los Angeles” is a bit long by their standards (nearly 3 minutes!), but the song is a tonic for those with limited attention spans. Alternating between textured noise freak-outs, mid-tempo heavy stomps, and downright mean guitar riffs, the song bursts, then recedes, bursts, then recedes. The waves are great, and so is the undertow. Good stuff.
Review by RYAN
ryan is a reviewer and news editor for TGEFM. He’s very secretive, he might be an alien.
