First Impressions is a collection of whiz-bang reviews, primarily of shorter albums (EPs and singles) 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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Bad Secret – “The Downeaster ‘Alexa’”
Self-released, 6 August 2021
Last year, Bad Secret came outta nowhere to blow me away with DEMO-ONE, one of my favorite albums of the year (and of the past several years). Now they go and do this Billy Joel song and positively destroy it. See, I’ve got this odd fascination and love for Billy Joel stemming from my childhood. I just never thought of his music in punk terms. Now, Bad Secret has changed that. This song is wonderful originally, but I am completely smitten with Bad Secret’s Ramones-style re-working. Highly recommended.
Review by RYAN
Burger Weekends – “Tape Of The Disease”
Surfin’ Bird Tapes, 1 August 2021
Burger Weekends Tape Of The Disease opens with the super simple singalong “Don’t Care”. Song #2 (“Eat You”) is more mid-tempo and developed, dropping melodic vocal hooks and some terrific lead guitar. The singer sounds great and kind of reminds me of the singer from Girls. “Do It Again” pops with all sorts of energy and rhythmic hooks. It’s not as power poppy as “Eat You”, but is every bit as infectious with its repeated refrain. Then they cover The Queers “Burger King Queen” to close things out. The original’s great and Burger Weekends do it right.
Favorite song: “Eat You”
Review by RYAN
Classic Pat – “The Monster Within”
Laptop Punk Records, 24 July 2021
Classic Pat’s “The Monster Within” blasts away with bunches of buzzing hooks and a driving quick rhythm that never lets up. The backing vocals are cool and land just right and the lead vocal melodies make me wanna sing along. Much like stuff from Classic Pat’s band The Putz, the song is great and the songwriting is engaging. Pretty great singalong pop punk stuff here – now to learn the words.
Review by RYAN
The Last Gang – “Noise Noise Noise”
Fat Wreck Chords, 4 August 2021
The Last Gang make a triumphant return with “Noise Noise Noise,” the first single and title track off the band’s long awaited follow up to their sleeper hit, Keep Them Counting which was released in 2018. The dub-style tune is a little bit slower than the band’s usual fare, but the bass lines are nothing short of gorgeous. Frontwoman Brenna Red proves once again that she’s one of the most talented and versatile up-and-coming vocalists in punk, whether it’s the more serious material with her band or her novelty solo single, “Punk Rock Christmas.” On “Noise Noise Noise” she delivers her most soulful performance, showing incredible promise for the upcoming full-length.
Review by Julie River
The Phoenix Within – Lacking
Self-releases 13 Aug 2021
An old screenwriting professor I had in college once warned our class to never write screenplays about the movie industry because nobody cares about the inner workings of the movie industry other than people who work in it. In a way, “Lacking” by The Phoenix Within, falls victim to the same problem as its themes of the struggles of music artists might not be that relatable to the average listener. Singer Omar Feliciano’s vocal delivery, with its heavy emo style, doesn’t quite match the themes, either. Still, the musical side of it is pretty strong and could make for a great song if paired with some more universal lyrical themes.
(Reviewed from a private promo. Pre-save the track and/or video and follow The Phoenix Within here)
– Review by Julie River
Rundown Kreeps – “Spring Forward”
My Grito Records, 09 Aug 2021
My Grito, a subsidiary of Wiretap Records, continues to put out great music from great bands. “Spring Forward,” the newest from California’s Rundown Keeps is a fast-paced bit of joyous melodic punk, and it’s even got some keyboards in there to spice up the mix. The single doesn’t bark any molds but, then again, a lot of songs don’t these days. But the delivery is top notch and there are enough switch ups to keep you on your toes. Rundown Kreeps are going somewhere, and I’m definitely along for the ride.
Review by Jeff Sorley
The Thorazines – “I Wish Tony Hawk Was My Dad”
Self-released, 6 August 2021
The Thorazines pump out 3 new songs on this single. Lead-off title track is a blistering fast shout-along with some tasty lead guitar and bash-away drums that propel it ahead. “Leticia Bufoni” has a repetitive vocal hook and alternating vocals between a cleaner sound and a more ragged sound. It goes by with all the energy of the lead-off track and a little more catchiness. After these 2 skateboarding tributes, closer cover “Whatever” pounds away at the Walker original much like the other two. The bass sounds particularly good and melodic and the guitar riff on the bridge slays.
Favorite song: “Leticia Bufoni”
Review by RYAN
