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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Ricky Rochelle – “Don't Put the Chimp in Charge”
Eccentric Pop Records, 10 December 2021
What a goofy song title. “Don't Put the Chimp in Charge” has some fun and silly lyrics to go along with the buzzing melodic music. The chorus is dumb-infectious and I ended up able to sing along on just the song's second go at it. I like the melody a bunch and the lyrical phrasing sinks into my brain quite nicely, and with Ricky Rochelle's Ramones-indebted pop punk, that's the real key. If you like the earlier singles, I think you'll dig this, too.
Review by RYAN
Lesser Creatures – “Nobody's Keeping Score”
Laptop Punk Records, 12 December 2021
More of the good stuff from Lesser Creatures. With buzzsaw guitars aplenty that alternately chug and blast, simple straightforward drums, and rad melodic bass, the song brings all I dig about the band. Nick Spoon (who does all the music and singing on this one) pulls another entrenching vocal melody along as his sneers drip with angst, gobbling up words about conspiracies and ignorance. But then the chorus hits and it all feels empowering instead of pessimistic. It's oh so good.
Review by RYAN
American Football – “Rare Symmetry / Fade Into You”
Polyvinyl Records, 9 December 2021
American Football is an oddball favorite of mine. Where I tend towards silly buzzsaw pop, they offer up gentle, complex introspection. “Rare Symmetry” twinkles like a lost late-night drive. The rhythm's are immaculate, as are the gorgeous guitar atmospherics and eventual bells and chimes. And the vocals are longing and exquisitely right. The second song is a cover of Mazzy Star's “Fade Into You”, a personal favorite. They handle the song with delicacy and it's a wondrous take, full of weeping guitars. Though each song stretches past 6 minutes, neither is too long for me.
Favorite Song: “Rare Symmetry”
Review by RYAN
Superchunk – “Endless Summer”
Merge Records, 7 December 2021
A couple of acoustic strums and then the band hits. The song is on the more mellow side of Superchunk, with gentle strums (minus much buzz) adorning a mid-tempo jaunt and held together by Mac McCaughan's inimitable vocals. Speaking of the vocals, the vocal melody is pretty gorgeous and brainwashing throughout and the backing harmonies really set off the summer feel to “Endless Summer”. The guitar lead during the bridge is also fairly infectious. Typically, I do like my Superchunk with a little more angst and buzz, but this will do just fine.
Review by RYAN
The Beatersband – “Love I Can B W You”
Self-released, 31 May 2021
The Beatersband of Italy have an affinity for 1950's/60's rock and roll. “Love I Can B W You” is a little punky, having pace and energy as the lead guitar plays a melody that mimics the vocals before taking a solo turn during the bridge. The melody's pretty and sticks around pretty well. Second song “My Mother Plays Rock ‘n' Roll” has more of a 50's/60's feel, likely due to the vocal melody and backing vocals and I think I might like that one more than the lead-off.
Favorite Song: “My Mother Plays Rock ‘n' Roll”
Review by RYAN
ryan is a reviewer and news editor for TGEFM. He's very secretive, he might be an alien.