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 – “Mother Nature Really Sucks”
Mom’s Basement Records, 25 Mar 2022
This banger has a fantastic guitar lead right outta the gate. “Mother Nature Really Sucks” has a bunch of propulsion and melodic vocals as it seemingly tells the tale of a bird that failed to migrate fast enough to avoid dying an untimely death in rough and cold winter weather. I haven’t had this vibe from previous Avem singles, but this one makes me think of The Lillingtons if they were weirdly bird-obsessed. It’s catchy, it’s aggressive, and it’s kinda darkly funny. Worth some listens.
Review by RYAN
Pink Mountaintops – “Nervous Breakdown”
ATO Records, 29 Mar 2022
So Pink Mountaintops “Nervous Breakdown” doesn’t revel in the same manic energy and desperation that Black Flag’s original does, but it does wallow in weirdly psychedelic tones and a tripped out hush that is twisted and oddly chaotic and throbbing and relevant in its own way. Some found sounds and piano tinkling bounce around snaky guitar leads and shuffling drums and it all comes out okay. It doesn’t hit me like the original, but for a completely off-the-wall take, it’s not half bad.
Review by RYAN
The Hazmats – “Empty Rooms”
Static Shock Records, 01 Apr 2022
The Hazmats, which features members of UK hardcore bands including Chubby and the Gang, Game, and Big Cheese, is decidedly power pop. The guitars are bright and loaded with hooks and sugary lo-fi goodness, all over top a mid-tempo and “play-it-straight” rhythm section. The vocals come along after an extended intro and they’re suitably detached. And when the chorus hits, the music sparkles and goes for it all with backing vocals and guitar lead that’s a sneaky earworm. It’s a great song at first blush, one I think might be fantastically suitable for a night drive.
Review by RYAN
Yee Loi – “Do Some Work”
Self-released, 31 Mar 2022
Sister act Yee Loi open up “Do Some Work” with some crunchy guitars and a brief lead guitar before the vocals come up. Honestly, the vocals sound as good as I’ve heard from them with a nice touch of believable angst and attitude and decent hooks and the guitar leads that fuzz in around the 2-minute mark and then again a few seconds later are cool as shit. In the end, all things considered, it sorta reminds me of early Donnas, back when they were landing just right for me.
Review by RYAN
The Spachoolas – “Just The Fixins’”
Laptop Punk Records, 01 Apr 2022
The Spachoolas 3-song EP opens with the contagious “Declan”. Over and out in just over a minute, they load it with great hooks that stick. Follow-up “Self Control” has some pretty cool dual-guitar leads over top a catchy Ramones framework, complete with lyrics like “gimme pizza, gimme tacos, gimme steak”. And closer “Runaway Dog” opens with good speed and some sorta muted guitars chugging along. Then the chorus drops in some ska-type guitars that surprised me a bit. But they don’t distract or do harm and the vocal hooks are staying with me after it all wraps.
Favorite Song: Declan
Review by RYAN
Pink Snot – “Presently, Not Present”
Self-released, 14 Mar 2022
“Presently, Not Present”, another new one from Pink Snot, has the ringing guitars and drive-ahead drums and bass that have now become staples for the band (and the bass in particular plays some great melodic hooks on this one). The vocal melody on the chorus sticks around okay and the “ba-ba-da” vocal hook is memorable. And I like the lyrical concept of fighting to live in the moment. This is a pretty good one from one of the busier bands at the moment.
Review by RYAN
ryan is a reviewer and news editor for TGEFM. He’s very secretive, he might be an alien.
