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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The Budweisers – “Deepest of My Heart”
Family Spree Recordings / Monster Zero Records, 30 Apr 2022
The newest number from this Spanish band, “Deepest of My Heart”, is quintessential Budweisers. The song has a good pace to it and revels in all sorts of memorable melody, especially from the special vocal hooks that I can't get outta my brain. The guitar lead's not half bad either. And the mix is done just right – not too clean, but well balanced and buzzing. I keep finding myself humming even after the song has finished. I really like this and am getting more and more excited about the upcoming full length Look Out Below!.
Review by RYAN
RKL – “Scab on My Brain”
Fat Wreck Chords, 05 May 2022
RKL is next up in the Fat Wreck Live In A Dive series. The album comes from a live recording from the Netherlands in 1989 and “Scab on My Brain” comes from the 1987 album Rock ‘n Roll Nightmare. Honestly, the sound quality surprised me considering the age of the recording. The guitar leads stand out, the drums pop pretty decently, and the lead vocals have a ravaged and snotty tone while being clear and high in the mix. If you like RKL's thrashy brand of punk rock, you'll find this one a gem.
Review by RYAN
Guided By Voices – “Unproductive Funk”
Rockathon Records, 05 May 2022
Ah, Guided By Voices. They might just be my favorite band ever. They're at least in the running. And “Unproductive Funk” is maybe the most ludicrous title for a Robert Pollard song ever given his persistent efforts. This is a melodic jam with fantastic Doug Gillard-guitars that swerves to marvelous high's on the gorgeous and ascending “this is no lull” chorus (I think that's what he sings). If you haven't paid attention to GBV since their 90's micropop classics, this will be surprising to you. But if you've been keeping up, this one fits right in. It's a great song.
Review by RYAN
Joyce Manor – “Don't Try”
Epitaph Records, 03 May 2022
“Don't Try” is the newest single off the upcoming 40 oz. to Fresno album from Joyce Manor. This one has some melodic chiming guitars that add depth to the song and the vocals are catchy enough, singing vaguely sentimental and disconnected words. The driving chorus is pretty solid and my favorite part is the quick instrumental bridge before the guitars-and-vocals-only section. This is decent indie rock, but like much that I've heard from the band, I'm not over the moon for this. I wouldn't be so motivated to get up and turn it off if it came on, though.
Review by RYAN
Stinking Polecats – “Is This Real?”
El Topo Records / Bad Man Records / Mom's Basement Records, 06 May 2022
Two for two. The second single from Italy's Stinking Polecats upcoming album is landing pretty right – maybe not as perfect for me as the first one (“Space Trip”), but good all the same. It's a melancholy melodic mid-tempo bop that has sad sack singalong written all over it. And the backing vocals are spot-on throughout. It's a little more downcast than I tend to drift towards, but I find myself continuing to hum along after the first run-through finishes up. Getting more and more excited for the upcoming full-length.
Review by RYAN
ryan is a reviewer and news editor for TGEFM. He's very secretive, he might be an alien.
