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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Brian Science – “Someday Soon”
Laptop Punk Records, 28 July 2021
Brian Science (of Grimetime) has this new single out on the venerable Laptop Punk Records. “Someday Soon” rollicks around with a playful little swagger. I especially like the clean guitar accents that come off on the beat and offset the fuzzy guitar. The little synth bleeps and bloops are fun, too. When all’s said and done, the song is a raw and bouncy pop punk song that works as a sneaky earworm.
Review by RYAN
Hooray For You – “Do The Fang!”
Self-released, 29 July 2021
Hooray For You does a throwback rock and roll number with “Do The Fang!”. The song actually sounds pretty much as I’d expect a song called “Do The Fang!” to sound, and I say that as a compliment. It wakes the ghosts of Eddie Cochran, Chuck Berry, and other 50’s rock and rollers and keeps the momentum through some searing lead guitar that cuts through the raw clatter and sheer pace of the song. This song sorta rips.
Review by RYAN
Pep Talk – “Next To Me”
Hey Pizza Records, 6 August 2021
Pep Talk (with members of The Young Rochelles, Sketchy, and Weird Skin) drop a good 3-song EP with Next To Me. The title track is clean pop punk fun without sounding too polished and oozes melody and catchiness. “Trespass” (with CJ Ramone) is a little more blistering in the attack. Snotty vocals and lead guitar carry the melody to good places. Next closes with a well-executed Ramones Road To Ruin medley that includes “I Wanted Everything”, “I’m Against It”, and “Bad Brain”. They don’t mix up the originals, they just play them well and put it all together seamlessly.
Favorite song: “Trespass”
Review by RYAN
The Thorazines – “She Doesn’t Like Cheap Trick”
Self-released, 6 August 2021
Australia’s The Thorazines open this song with a “He’s A Whore” guitar riff and works in all sorts of references to Rockford, Illinois’ favorite sons along the way to disparage someone the band knew that didn’t like Cheap Trick. In typical Thorazines fashion, the song is a Ramones-indebted pop song with some rough and tumble vocals and some fun gang vocals popping up in the background. It’s another fun buzzer.
Review by RYAN
The Mitochondriacs – “All or Nothing”
Laptop Punk Records, 30 July 2021
All or Nothing is the last 2-song single of a trilogy dropped by The Mitochondriacs. Opener “I Want It All” is superactive and full of the energies. It’s got this repetitive “I want it all” vocal hook and great lead guitar that snatches my attention. Follow up “Or Nothing” seemingly dials it back. A gentle song that meanders along with acoustic guitar and piano and an endearingly sweet vocal take, the song fooled me into turning up the volume to listen. And then, the song explodes into a chaotic cacophony at the end, blistering my ears along the way.
Favorite song: “I Want It All”
Review by RYAN
