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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Teenage Kreepshow – “Haddonfield”
Self-released, 13 Jul 2022
Another garage-Ramones song from Teenage Kreepshow, another winner. Persistent lead guitar goes over the chugging rhythms. And when the vocals come in, I swear they remind me of a different band, but I can't put a finger on that familiarity. Instead, I'll just say they fit the music right and carry a memorable singalong and cool backing “whoa-oh's” on the chorus. And the lead guitar on the bridge is spot on. This one's a good Kreepshow song.
Review by RYAN
The Young Hasselhoffs – “Life Got In The Way”
Mom's Basement Records / Rum Bar Records, 22 Jul 2022
Another once upon a time band that's coming back, the new Young Hasselhoffs song “Life Got In The Way” is the title track from an upcoming album. The band lines up with the pop punk crowd (leaning towards the pop side), and this one opens with some infectious lead guitar and a vocal melody that does a fun wobble on the ending “oh-uh-oh's”. That catchiness goes up a notch again on the chorus and the whole thing is going to get me back listening over and over. Looking forward to the full length.
Review by RYAN
The Thorazines – “Just Like Tahniesha”
Self-released, 28 Jul 2022
The highly melodic guitars right outta the gate are a good sign on the new “Just Like Tahniesha”. The Thorazines make awesome Ramones-inspired punk rock, and this one has a fantastic singalong quality. The verses are pretty catchy, but the chorus is instantly hummable. There's a bit of dynamics, a couple of windmill-chord moments, an awesome drum break, and some tasteful lead guitar down the stretch. It goes on for 4 minutes (usually much too long for my simple brain), but the shifts and melody keep me engaged throughout.
Review by RYAN
Grim Deeds – “Nonverbal Tones”
Self-released, 28 Jul 2022
This two-song release opens with the hyper-skip-along drums and earworm melodic guitar lead of the high-energy “Spaghetti Head”. It's an instrumental blur that moves quickly and finishes up in 50 seconds. The second, a cover of The Ventures version of “Walk Don't Run”, features Deeds on drums and production and Bo Daddly on guitars and bass. It's an honest take on the song and the warm and reverbed guitars sound gorgeous. Both instrumentals, hence the album name. Check it.
Favorite Song: “Walk Don't Run”
Review by RYAN
Avem – “Just Like Me”
Mom's Basement Records, 05 Aug 2022
Frankly, it's amazing how well bird-based punk songs end up working. Bird punks Avem have been teasing a new full-length for a while and I'm excited for it. “Just Like Me” might be my favorite pre-release single yet. It's got a great guitar and bass drive and the drums bop along with a constant pound. But the vocal melody is where it's at on this one. It's a stick-in-your-head melody that gets paired up with wonderful backing vocals. This one's a winner and I'll be coming back to this one to tide me over until the full-length lands.
Review by RYAN
ryan is a reviewer and news editor for TGEFM. He's very secretive, he might be an alien.
