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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Geoff Palmer – “Many More Drugs”
Stardumb Records, 21 May 2021
“Many More Drugs” is the new single from Geoff Palmer’s upcoming album and it’s a pretty awesome starter. By now you might know Palmer’s thing. He’s aces at writing great melodic hooks and he pulls them off with a bunch of bounce and guitars that’ll never leave your brain. Oh, and his vocals and harmonies are typically exquisite. All of that goes for “Many More Drugs”, with the back and forth between lead and backing vocals on the chorus sure to become a tandem singalong for kindred spirits. No questions or concerns here, just good stuff.
Favorite song: “Many More Drugs”
Action News – “Failed State”
Self-released, 28 May 2021
Okay, so this is just some ferocious hardcore. From the opening siren-like feedback and title scream, Action News go back and forth from mid-tempo to pulverizing in a fitful rage, with stop-and-go’s and a sludgy breakdown that builds to a kinetic whirr. This stuff goes on for nearly three minutes – kind of long for a hardcore song – but it shapeshifts repeatedly and never loses momentum nor my attention. Special kudos to the lead guitar that bombs overtop. This is some admirable stuff.
Favorite song: “Failed State”
VonErichs – “Smasher Gave Me The Ax (When Crush Came Around)”
Mom’s Basement Records, 28 May 2021
The newest teaser single from VonErichs is my favorite yet. It’s more wrestling-loving Ramones-indebted pop punk and I love the melody throughout the song. The guitar lead during the intro and bridge sticks like gorilla glue and the vocal hook and musical drop-out on the chorus is infectious as all-get-out. I really like the “around and around and around” backing vocals, too. This is getting me really excited for the First Blood Match album due out sometime soon.
Favorite song: “Smasher Gave Me The Ax (When Crush Came Around)”
The Riot Vans – “Scary Faces”
Disobedient Records, 21 May 2021
This one starts out with some cool lead guitar/bass interplay and starts stomping along with a sort of indie dance-punk vibe that reminds me of something akin to first-record Arctic Monkeys. The shouty vocals are in-your-face and repetitive and the energy is palpable. I also kind of like the full band rock drive after each re-run-through of the verses. This is not my go-to sound, but I found myself sort of intrigued by “Scary Faces”.
Favorite song: “Scary Faces”
Turnpike Gates – “Seasick”
Self-released, 7 May 2021
I like the opening guitar rings on “Seasick”. And when the song takes off, I’m kind of surprised by what I hear. The drums drive at a mid-tempo pace and the vocals come off as urgent and carry a decent melody. I also like the “whoa-oh” backing vocals used, they help make the song feel quickly singalongable. It reminds me a little of what I know of Gaslight Anthem (though I don’t listen to them much at all despite many suggestions to). I don’t gravitate towards this sort of thing, but “Seasick” is pretty right-on for those that do.
Favorite song: “Seasick”
ryan is a reviewer and news editor for TGEFM. He’s very secretive, he might be an alien.
