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.
Have an album or release you want reviewed? Send it to us HERE.
Helen Love – “Zip Up Your Tracksuit”
Alcopop! Records, 4 Mar 2022
“Zip Up Your Tracksuit”, the newest from Ramones-enamored Helen Love, is an upbeat electronic pop bop. There's a persistent beat and some of the outta-nowhere fun bleeps, blips, and bloops that are oftentimes central to the Love pop vision. Leads come in with seemingly no warning and Taylor Swift samples even join in on the off-the-wall fun. If you've heard Love's attention-span-aversed pop before, you'll know what you're getting here. I had fun with this.
Review by RYAN
The Linda Lindas – “Talking To Myself”
Epitaph Records, 2 Mar 2022
“Talking To Myself”, the newest single from the upcoming Growing Up album, finds The Linda Lindas revved up and bouncing. The song has a good pace to it, charming guitars with just a touch of buzz, and matter-of-fact drums and bass. The vocals are upfront and sing a melodic hook, especially on the bridge-into-chorus. Some synthy atmospherics add some pristine layers to the proceedings, though they might take away from the pure rock and roll thing and feel a little unnecessary to me. Overall, a cool fun song, though.
Review by RYAN
Iceage – “Pull Up”
Mexican Summer Records, 1 Mar 2022
This cover of an ABRA song that I admittedly hadn't heard prior to Iceage doing it is okay. The drums/percussion are really well executed and pull of the “Pull Up” beat. The repetitive piano motif has a way of sinking into my brain and the general city-noise ambience is pretty cool, as are the mouthful of vocals. That said, I'm one of those bums who miss first album-New Brigade Iceage. These days the band simmers and smolders rather than rages. This song fits into that simmer mold.
Review by RYAN
The Bruce Lee Band – “Did You Find The Money Farm?”
Asian Man Records, 3 Mar 2022
The Bruce Lee Band's “Did You Find The Money Farm?” plays with a ska rhythm and dirty sax's. After an extended intro, lead vocals come in decrying those that give up on ethics and trample the poor while getting rich. There's admirable and engaging lyrics from intriguing minds, but I'm sometimes a tough sell on ska, and the extra horns and group backing vocals don't quite elevate this one to “must hear” for me. Let's call it good for those who love ska and for those of us who are hit-or-miss with it we'll call it just okay.
Review by RYAN
ryan is a reviewer and news editor for TGEFM. He's very secretive, he might be an alien.
