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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Matt Ellis – “Everything Sucks”
Self-released, 13 January 2022
Matt Ellis’ newest 2-song, Everything Sucks, is more of the grimy, snotty punk he does so well. “Brutal Planet” is an agitated blast with a cool buzzing riff, pissed-off vocal sneers, and battering ram drums. It’s everything I want. The follow-up, “Everything Sucks / I Hate It All” says everything it needs to in the title. It’s a slower stomp and the attitude drips off this one. On both, the riffs rip, the drums bloody you up, and the mix is just right. If you eat up the Dee Dee-penned Ramones stuff, then Matt Ellis is for you.
Favorite Song: “Brutal Planet”
Review by RYAN
Family Computer – “Bleed Out”
Laptop Punk Records, 09 January 2022
Bleed Out is a 3-song pop punk nugget from members of Parasite Diet and The Putz. If you know those bands, the infectious hooks of the opening title track will not shock you. It’s loaded with great vocal lines and stupid infectious lead guitar. “Some Nerve” has a great guitar riff and a fantastic bass. I really dig the slightly awkward pauses on this one and the backing vocals are cool. Closer “Save the World” is fast, with galloping drums and a strong vocal hook on the chorus and the bass line pops all over. Good stuff.
Favorite Song: “Bleed Out”
Review by RYAN
Soul Glo – “Jump!! (Or Get Jumped!!!) ((by the future))”
Epitaph Records, 11 January 2022
Geez, this shit is intense. Over a fast musical drive that threatens to jump out of your speakers at any moment, the vocals are spit and yelled at a blurring pace that feels unhinged and manic. Even when things simmer to a breakdown, the song feels like it’s shooting off in a bunch of different directions in a good way. This makes my head spin. All parts of “Jump!!” are kinetic with some of the wildest drums, guitar squalls, and bass bursts I’ve heard in some time.
Review by RYAN
Pink Snot – “Will you Trade Me Your Essensa?”
Self-released, 17 January 2022
Winnipeg’s Pink Snot is new to me, and this first go is about former Winnipeg Jets goaltender Bob Essensa, apparently. I like the sound to this one; it’s sorta ragged and raw sounding, and the guitars seem really melodic and almost ringing more than buzzing. The drums are tight with good bounce and the bass fits in nicely, too. The lead vocals are just a tad angsty and sing a nice line with cool backing vocals to go with. It’s pretty good mid-tempo pop punk and hits well enough to get me curious about the rest of their stuff.
Review by RYAN
ryan is a reviewer and news editor for TGEFM. He’s very secretive, he might be an alien.
