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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Riverboat Gamblers – “Bonzo Goes To Bitburg”
Anxious & Angry, 16 April 2021
The Riverboat Gamblers take on the Ramones classic “Bonzo Goes To Bitburg” is pretty awesome. This is one of my favorite Ramones songs already and Riverboat Gamblers do the song all sorts of justice, staying true to the original with its punk edge, immaculate pop hooks, and a little new wave eye wink thrown in for good measure. They even get none other than CJ Ramone to toss on some backing vocals. I love this song when the Ramones do it, I love this song when Riverboat Gamblers do it, I love this song.
Favorite song: “Bonzo Goes To Bitburg”
Grim Deeds – “Skate (Or Pay the Price)”
Self-released, 8 May 2021
More Grim Deeds. This is a thrashing skate song (duh) with some of the faster and more pulverizing drums in the Deeds catalog. It’s a decidedly different turn from the more pop punk-heavy songs we’re used to from him. And where most of his other stuff leans hard into singalongs, melody, and catchiness, “Skate” is pure aggression. As I’m sure everyone who looks at these shortform reviews learned long ago, I like this shapeshifting from him and I’m thrilled to go along for the ride. This could fit nicely on the first Punk-O-Rama comp from way back when.
Favorite song: “Skate (Or Pay the Price)”
The Smart Shoppers – “Double Dutch”
Self-released, 27 April 2021
The Smart Shoppers, who hail from Green Bay, Wisconsin and seem to include Rev Norb of Boris The Sprinkler, have a new record coming out. “Double Dutch” is a quirky herky-jerky pop punk song with an earworm guitar hook that mimics the vocal phrasings until the sort of boogie chorus hits. And the lyrics are ridiculously silly and fun. This is nothing to be taken seriously and ends up hitting right as a goofy good time. Kinda hits a crossroads between first-album-Devo and first-album-Rezillos. So yea, it’s awesome.
Favorite song: “Double Dutch”
Randells – “Holiday In The Sun”
Monster Zero Records, 26 April 2021
Another fun, sort of nostalgic pop punk song with all the right hooks, melodies, and backing vocals. Randells are carving out some rare-air territory with the string of singles leading up to the release of Kicks. “Holiday In The Sun” is catchy with a kind of melancholy melody that is endearing. It’s pretty traditional pop punk, but the tremolo guitar coming out of the chorus run-through and the surf-esque guitar lead lands perfectly to these ears. Those who like Andrea Manges and the Veterans will love this.
Favorite song: “Holiday In The Sun”
Descendents – “Baby Doncha Know”
Epitaph Records, 4 May 2021
“Baby Doncha Know” is the first taste of the 9th & Walnut album that got Frank Navetta and Tony Lombardo back into the fold to record a bunch of tunes written in the early years of the Descendents. The song really does end up coming off like a long lost nascent-Descendents song. The guitars serrate just right, the bass is all sorts of melodic and the song sprints by with an adolescent charm and energy that doesn’t betray the melodic goodness.
Favorite song: “Baby Doncha Know”
ryan is a reviewer and news editor for TGEFM. He’s very secretive, he might be an alien.
