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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Ted Leo – “The Old 200 EP”
Self-released, 01 Apr 2022
“The Old 200”, the lead-off on Ted Leo’s new one, keeps in my attention span range and has some seriously reverbed vocals and a splendid guitar lead near the halfway point and ends up being worth the price of admission. Follow up “Day After Day” is more subdued, with a shaker and keys and an ambling trot that goes wide-eyed at moments. Then, Leo covers Traffic’s “Heaven Is In Your Mind” to close things out. Neither of the last two have the fast pep that I love from Leo, but they get weird and end up a-okay.
Favorite Song: “The Old 200”
Review by RYAN
The Lunkheads – “Brainchild”
Mom’s Basement Records, 07 Apr 2022
The Lunkheads’ “Brainchild” is a just-right pop punk nugget. The guitars are suitably and alternately buzzing and chugging and the lead is set just right in the mix. The rhythm section drives along without fuss, holding down the fort, while the singer sings with a sorta whisper-sneer that reminds me a bit of the singer from Chixdiggit!. Most important, the song itself is an earworm that lands right and has me humming along before halfway through.
Review by RYAN
Manarovs – “The Same Sky”
Mom’s Basement Records, 08 Apr 2022
First off, the guitars that come in dueling at the start have just the right touch of electric buzz. The tone is fantastic. Then the band hits, driving ahead with nothing but momentum and melodic angst. The strained lead vocals sound at home with the band and are admirably backed by repeated lines and “whoa-ohs” that are all sorts of fun. When I saw this one stretched to 3:30+, I was a bit worried I’d lose focus. But that never happened and I really ended up enjoying it. I’ll be coming back for more.
Review by RYAN
Mean Jeans – “Hits from the Bog”
Fat Wreck Chords, 08 Apr 2022
This new 3-songer from Mean Jeans opens with the expectedly catchy “Mind Fulla Slime”. This one’s got hooks for days and fits right in alongside all I’d expect from the band. Great backing vocals and synths on top of oodles of melodic vocals leave me wanting more. “My Body is a Wasteland” is a touch more driving and not quite as immediately pop-hooky as the opener, but it’s another solid number. Closer “Twistin off a Cliff” aims to challenge the hooks of “Slime” and comes seriously close. It’s fantastic in a lotta the same ways the opener is. I’m smitten.
Favorite Song: “Mind Fulla Slime”
Review by RYAN
Ratbones – “I Killed Dee Dee Ramone”
I Buy Records / Mom’s Basement Records, 11 Apr 2022
“I Killed Dee Dee Ramone” is just the sorta chainsaw pop I eat up. There’s a bunch of pep and great guitars sitting alongside a nimble rhythm section and some handclaps, basically a smoking pop punk song musically. Jason V (of The Jasons) takes the vocal lead on here and knocks it outta the park. He sings a rad vocal melody and Ratbones provide the requisite backing “ooh”’s to set it all off right. It’s good, melodic Ramonescore like I tend to gravitate towards. If this sorta thing is your thing, you’ll like it, too.
Review by RYAN
ryan is a reviewer and news editor for TGEFM. He’s very secretive, he might be an alien.
