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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Hans Gruber and the Die Hards – “My Friend Chuck”
Ska Punk International, 21 Apr 2022
I’m not an avid ska fan, but this one works. “My Friend Chuck” feels like a hardcore song goof with horns (and a few synths) tossed over top. Kinda reminds me of the stuff I like from Voodoo Glow Skulls in its aggression. It’s a fun adrenalized blast of energy, enough so that I texted my ska-fan-friend Tom B. Bearded and suggested he check this out. That’s about as much of an endorsement as I tend to give up to ska bands these days.
Review by RYAN
Spot Mcrackin – “Bye Bye My Love”
Last Exit Records/Mcrackins Records/MBNH/Little Lost Girl Media, 29 Apr 2022
Spot Mcrackin’s “Bye Bye My Love” has all the catchy hookiness of the best Mcrackins stuff, but the song is more of a glam rock stomper with touches of Kiss and maybe New York Dolls. The backing vocals are absolutely infectious and the chorus sticks pretty good. I get used to something and I want more of it. In this case, I love the pop punk of Mcrackins and wanted more of the same here. I was surprised at the glammy rock-and-rollness of this one, but I like it a lot. Curious about the rest of this upcoming album.
Review by RYAN
Rid Of Me – “Smells Like Teen Spirit”
Self-released, 28 Apr 2022
This is a pretty perfect roar. Maybe the essence of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, loaded with gross lofi grit and smeared with noise and guts. The take is pretty much perfectly straight-faced, but the raw recording feels so right that I can’t find a reason to complain (even with the 4+ minute run time and my notoriously short attention span). Just listen to it already.
Review by Ryan
Mikey Erg – “Almost Like Judee Sill”
Don Giovanni Records, 25 Apr 2022
No shit, I love Mikey Erg’s energy pretty much all the time. “Almost Like Judee Sill” doesn’t let me down. Great melodies, rambunctious drums, bass holding things together, and guitars with pep and bounce – it’s all here. Erg’s vocals are perfect in the mix and sound terrific and the shouted backing vocals give just a touch of live fun. Another great Erg number. Check it out. I mean it.
Review by RYAN
Beach Rats – “Rat Beat”
Epitaph, 25 Apr 2022
“Rat Beat” is a blast. Beach Rats have all the pedigree you could ask for (Bad Religion, Minor Threat, Lifetime, etc) and this one hits just right. There’s lots of propulsion, melodic moments, chaotic guitar leads, and manic garbled vocals that fit right in. The song gets in and out quick (about a minute and a half) and is lean, wasting no space and making each moment matter. And the production is excellent, clean and perfect for making each instrument stand on its own. This is a good one.
Review by RYAN
The Rieslinger – “Palatine Handcuffs”
Laptop Punk Records, 02 May 2022
“Palatine Handcuffs” is a real rock and roll number from Germany’s The Rieslinger. The song has a sorta rockabilly pop gallop, feeling like a speedier Elvis song. The backing vocals sound fantastic and really give a great pop feel, as do the handclaps. I really love the reverb vocal treatment on the lead vocals, too. And the guitars – oh those guitars – they are infectious even after one listen. I might steer towards the more straightforward Ramones-indebted stuff I’ve heard from The Rieslinger, but this hits pretty well, too.
Review by RYAN
ryan is a reviewer and news editor for TGEFM. He’s very secretive, he might be an alien.
