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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Avem – “Pre-Suburban Paradise”
Mom’s Basement Records, 07 January 2022
These bird-obsessed Canadians charm me with each fun new single. “Pre-Suburban Paradise” is a melodic pop punk banger. The music is super-well played, going by at a mid-tempo pace and anchored by some ear-catching guitar lead in the intro and bridges. During the verses, the guitars are muted while some no-put-on vocals sing lead and backing vocals double down on that lead. And that singalong vocal melody is really endearing. Avem has another catchy number that doesn’t disappoint. CAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW.
Review by RYAN
EELS – “Amateur Hour”
E Works, 06 January 2022
“Amateur Hour” is another quirky fuzz-rock song from EELS build-up to their upcoming record. The guitar leads zig and zag in unexpected directions overtop the fuzzed-out bliss garage rock din that the band delivers. All the while, E’s vocals mix into the fray and the “amateur hour” refrain is shouted in a vocal melody that is sticking around almost as well as the eccentric music. I’ve said it before, and I’m doubling down now. Fuzzy EELS is my favorite EELS.
Review by RYAN
Guided By Voices – “Excited Ones”
Rockathon Records, 06 January 2022
I’m a longtime GBV-obsessive. Sometimes I get overwhelmed with the astounding quantity of Pollard-related output. But then I get a quick listen to something new and I’m all-in again. “Excited Ones” does that trick with sugary power pop goodness. The insistent guitars are gorgeous and the bass bubbles up melodically. I love the drums on this one, which alternate between stomps and double-taps, tossing in some handclaps affectionately along the way. And Pollard is in amazing form, carrying the vocal melody like the all-time champ he is. Color me impressed.
Review by RYAN
The Ergs! – “Ultimate Falsetto Book”
Dirtnap Records, 04 January 2022
I love The Ergs!. “Ultimate Falsetto Book” is a mid-tempo pop song with melodic guitar layers that alternately shimmer and stutter over a simple drum track, going from a 1-2 stomp into a double-tap snare bit that hits just right. And Mikey Erg’s vocals overtop are catchy and genuine and singalongable and everything we always wanna hear. Just a little distressed and longing, and an earworm for days. The lead guitar that jumps out near the end is spot-on, too. I wanna listen to this again, and quick. Yea, I’m impatient.
Review by RYAN
Broken Barcodes – “January 6 (The Most Idiotic Day in Modern American History)”
Laptop Punk Records, 03 January 2022
Broken Barcodes kick up a chaotic pop punk number on this blistering look-back at the Capitol riots from last year. It buzzes and tumbles with some interesting lead guitar and some front-and-center lead vocals that tell the tale. I’m intrigued by the angle taken, not just recounting the event but suggesting that if the truly oppressed acted like the January 6 contingent, they would’ve been crushed with excessive force. I don’t think they’re wrong. Pop punk doesn’t do a lot of political stuff (though we do have Moral Crux), but this song was a fun shot across the bow.
Review by RYAN
ryan is a reviewer and news editor for TGEFM. He’s very secretive, he might be an alien.
