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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SPICE – “Any Day Now”
Dais Records, 23 Feb 2022
“Any Day Now” is a pretty raw slab of SPICE with expressive and excitable drums that feel like they’re reaching out of the speakers to hit me in the head. The song has some fascinating guitars that create really cool harmonics with each other, creating a weirdly post-punk atmospheric thing. The bass is locked in and the vocals work, but are not as immediately memorable as the rhythm and the shattered guitars. Still, it’s a pretty interesting song.
Review by RYAN
The Spachoolas – “Declan”
Self-released, 23 Feb 2022
“Declan” goes by real quick, done in about a minute. It’s a good pop punk banger, kicking along with buzzing guitars, melodic guitar leads, and plenty of infectious bounce. The vocals sound good and I love the riff. It’s simple, straightforward punk rock and a heck of a fun Spachoolas song. The production is spot on; the sound is clear, but not too polished or clean. I’m anxious to hear what the rest of the upcoming Just The Fixins’ EP offers up.
Review by RYAN
The Goodyear Wimps – “Sunday Morning”
Laptop Punk Records, 26 Feb 2022
The Goodyear Wimps (Brent Viertel of The Brents) “Sunday Morning” is a mid-tempo pop punk gem. It’s pretty melancholy, a sorta ode to a lost love that he misses hanging with on Sunday mornings. The melody is subtly intriguing and hummable and reminds me of something from the Dan Vapid playbook. The backing vocals are fantastic throughout, sometimes harmonizing, sometimes delivering “ooh’s” and “ba-da, ba da’s”. And the song stays in-pocket the whole time, going along at a just-right pace.
Review by RYAN
Soul Glo – “Driponomics” (featuring Mother Maryrose)
Epitaph Records, 4 Mar 2022
Philadelphia’s Soul Glo embodies the “no rules” aspect of punk that sometimes gets forgotten for the hard-fast rules. While they pull off the hardcore punk thing incredibly well, playing with menacing energy and blowing minds with thought-provoking lyrics, on “Driponomics” Soul Glo does noisy hip hop that harkens back to Bomb Squad-era Public Enemy or Dälek and they do it well. The song sorta sounds like we’re riding on the noisy subway while people rhyme over the rhythmic tracks. Mother Maryrose‘s verses kick, too. It’s abrasive music about trying to overcome and get ahead (I think).
Review by RYAN
ryan is a reviewer and news editor for TGEFM. He’s very secretive, he might be an alien.
