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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Mikey Erg – “Caroline Told Me So”
Don Giovanni Records, 24 May 2022
Mikey Erg holds a special place in my heart. His voice is so effortlessly excitable and the songs are so well-crafted that when I listen to his stuff I get the same sort of rush I do when I hear Superchunk. Muted, throbbing verses blast into melodic sugar-overload on the choruses and the bridges that drop by keeps the pop hooks coming. Some great, tasteful lead guitar along the way adds some melody overtop. It's always fun to hear Mikey Erg reveling in this sort of stuff.
Review by RYAN
Ten Foot Pole – “Can We Stop Trying To Win?”
People of Punk Rock Records, 25 May 2022
Machine gun drums open the new one from Ten Foot Pole and then the song jumps into the sort of melodic skate punk I expect from the band. I haven't listened to these guys in a long, long time, but the energy is still really palpable. Great stutters and rhythmic stop-and-go's, downshifts and upshifts and mellow interludes, terrific melodies, and harmonizing backing vocals are all over the place. I saw 2:51 as a run time and thought I might not have the attention span. That was dumb. I like this a lot.
Review by RYAN
Beach Rats – “Heavy Conversation”
Epitaph, 25 May 2022
I've been impressed with the songs that have rolled out so far for the new Beach Rats album. “Heavy Conversation” fits right in. It's more rabid punk rock. Lots of blistering speed on this ripper before a cooling down moment near the end. The vocals sound marble-mouthed, as they should, and the hooks are gonna get me humming after another listen or two. And it's all done in less than a minute and a half.
Review by RYAN
The Young Rochelles – “Interstellar Communication”
Hey Pizza! Records/Endless Detention Records/DUMB Records/I Buy Records, 27 May 2022
The new 4-song EP from The Young Rochelles takes the Ramones-loving band into sci-fi territory. All the songs have good pace and energy, with Ramones-type guitars reigning supreme and hooky melodies dripping all over the place. The chorus on “Beyond the Sun” surprised me like crazy, but is catchy as all get out. And the leadoff title track skates by with as much pace as I've heard from the band (though closer “E.T. Cell Phone” gives it a run). “Fantasy World” is the melodic slowdown number, but is memorable, too. This is catchy pop punk done well.
Favorite Song: “Beyond the Sun”
Review by RYAN
The Flatliners – “Performative Hours”
Fat Wreck Chords, 28 May 2022
The Flatliners get talked up to me all the time, but I've never listened to them until now. “Performative Hours” hits with lots of aggression, melodic guitars pair up with abrasive noise and bashing drums while alternatingly yelled and sung vocals kick around over top. The verses are mostly about the noise and the choruses get more traditionally melodic. The vocals are not for me, but the music is engaging enough that I might give it another chance. With all the positive chatter, maybe I just lack taste.
Review by RYAN
ryan is a reviewer and news editor for TGEFM. He's very secretive, he might be an alien.
