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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Lesser Creatures – “Stay-At-Home Dad”
Laptop Punk Records, 30 January 2022
“Stay-At-Home Dad” is the new single from Arizona’s always awesome Lesser Creatures. It’s got the buzzing driving guitars I always wanna hear and this one gets coupled with some fun lyrics about the goodness that comes with being a (you guessed it) stay-at-home dad. The pace never lets up, but I really dig the couple times that the guitars get muted and the song lets the bass bubble up and throb over the pounding drums. I’ll be singing along to this after another listen or two.
Review by RYAN
Be Fair – “Veins and Capillaries”
Honest Industry Records, 24 January 2022
I don’t know a thing about Be Fair, but the UK band’s single “Veins and Capillaries” hits a pretty good tone from the jump. The bass probes and moves melodically while the drums bash away with no fuss. The guitars cut through in a whirr, sometimes adding deft hooks that really stick. And the vocals rampage across it all with a ravaged quality that reeks of desperation and angst. I hear some Off With Their Heads in here, for what it’s worth. Pretty good time.
Review by RYAN
Noodle Brain – “Can’t Stand You (Acoustic)”
RTTB Records, 4 February 2022
“Can’t Stand You” isn’t a new song, as it was a stand-out from Noodle Brain’s Bored to Death album from October 2021. But the acoustic take is something new. This version has gently strummed guitars, some bells (maybe?), and a tambourine (maybe?) accompanying the vocals. The song is nicely performed on all fronts and the song itself is clever and fun, but I must say I miss the electric buzz from the original. Still, it’s a nice alternative take and offers a bare bones interpretation that is genuine.
Review by RYAN
Guided By Voices – “Never Mind the List”
Rockathon Records, 3 February 2022
GBV single “Never Mind the List” is a slow/mid-tempo stomp with some of the almost-always-present gorgeous guitar progressions that ring and hold the fort down. I like the guitars calming to a muted shadow and the kick drum pushing ahead before opening back into the big, driving, and chiming guitars. Ringleader Robert Pollard is in good form here, his vocals sounding true and grounded with a subtly engaging melody. “List” hits like a lot of the good stuff from the band recently. I don’t like it as much as the previous “Excited Ones”, but it’s still pure goodness.
Review by RYAN
Ricky Rochelle – “In a Dream With You”
Laptop Punk Records, 4 February 2022
Ricky Rochelle has been a busy guy lately. He recently went on a run of dropping 10 individual songs, one a week, that came together as a full-length album. Now, he’s back with a new single called “In a Dream With You”. This one leans heavy into layered pop, keeping a quick tempo but replacing chainsaw guitars with clean tones and atmospheric “dreamy” sounds that are layered and reverbed. Rochelle’s vocals are also soaked in reverb and the sound of the song is fitting with the title. This one’s pretty unique.
Review by RYAN
ryan is a reviewer and news editor for TGEFM. He’s very secretive, he might be an alien.
