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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The Mitochondriacs – “Love & Hate”
Laptop Punk Records, 7 May 2021
The Mitochondriacs first release has an instant appeal. Opener “Hate” has awesome buzzing guitars and a rhythmic hook that drives a spike into your brain much like the “hate hate hate” repetition that matches the pound. The other song, “Love”, is less aggressive and bunches more melodic. The backing vocals set everything off just right and leaves me wanting to listen again once I finish writing this up. This is an intriguing first entry and worth a check out. Side note: profits from the digital sales go to The Life You Can Save.
Favorite song: “Love”
Sprockets – “Matchbook Strike”
RTTB Records, 30 April 2021
Las Vegas’ Sprockets new single “Matchbook Strike” opens as a mid-tempo rhythmic phrasing hookfest before going into a quick-paced chorus that has a cool drawn-out “I realized” vocal hook that goes along with some good “ahh” backing vocals. The song is well-played and the back-and-forth pacing keeps the song engaging throughout. Is it weird that I’m reminded of AFI’s “Girl’s Not Grey” for some reason? I don’t know, but I like this a-okay.
Favorite song: “Matchbook Strike”
Los Pepes – “Want You Back/Never Get It Right”
Self-released, 12 April 2021
Los Pepes throw a fit on the leadoff song of this 3-song effort. “I Want You Back” has a good garage drive and a squall of guitars and harmonica (I think) to create a melodic racket. “Never Get It Right” hits even better. It’s got more pace and I really like the guitar riff. The shout along vocals are angsty and carry a just-right melody on the chorus. Lots of good buzz on this one. The third song, “Tell Me” is pretty quick and has a subtle vocal melody that is actually my favorite on the record.
Favorite song: “Tell Me”
30 Going On 13 – “Let’s Start A Band”
Self-released, 16 April 2021
30 Going On 13’s new 2-song release opens with some jangly guitars before busting into a gravelly-voiced buzzsaw song that moves ahead in shambles. “Let’s Start A Band” feels pretty ragged and sloppy, and maybe a little beer-fueled, but it’s okay. The second song is where it’s at. “Dive Bar” feels a little tighter and has some cool lead guitar, and the descending vocal melodies and stop-and-go thing might really hook people. It’s pretty good and pretty simple punk rock.
Favorite song: “Dive Bar”
Grim Deeds – “Final Dawn”
Self-released, 12 May 2021
Continuing with the blistering skate punk sound from his last release (last week’s “Skate (Or Pay the Price”), Grim Deeds newest song goes by in a nihilistic blur. The melodic yet aggressive tone to the vocals play well with the buzz and, as always, Deeds has something to say. This time, much like the “The End Is Nigh” sign-holders of the world, he focuses on a “bleak forecast” of destruction and end. Not exactly an afternoon pick-me-up, but more a cathartic anxiety expulsion. I’m in.
Favorite song: “Final Dawn”
ryan is a reviewer and news editor for TGEFM. He’s very secretive, he might be an alien.
