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 Bittering Hops – “Surfing Is Really Hard”
Self-released, 16 July 2021
This 3-song EP from UK band The Bittering Hops is loaded up with Ramones and pop punk touchstones. Opener “Surfing Is Really Hard” is a ton of fun, with its melodic hooks and catchy refrain. “Cease Fire” opens with a menacing bass before the whole song kicks up some dust, reminding me a bit of Groovie Ghoulies in the process. And closer “You Weren’t All That” has a vocal melody that kinda reminds me of “Blister My Paint” with a bit less snottiness. The chorus is catchy as shit, too. I’m coming back for more of this.
Favorite song: “Surfing Is Really Hard”
Review by RYAN
Geoff Palmer – “Tomorrow”
Stardumb Records, 8 July 2021
What an endearing and earworming guitar line to open the song! It takes off from there with great melodic vocal hooks and Beach Boys backing vocals that sound gorgeous. I’m also here to vouch for the stuttered verse. When “Tomorrow” gets around to the chorus, I’m completely sold. I think I said this the last time I reviewed a Geoff Palmer song, but the pop hooks are pristine. He’s got an instinct for this stuff and I’m not sure what’s wrong with someone who hears this stuff and says, “nope, not for me”. Don’t be that person.
Review by RYAN
L.A. Exes – “Baby Let’s Pretend”
Black Rainbow Records, 21 Jul 2021
My parents grew up in the late-50s/early-60s. A bit too old to be hippies, a lot of the music they listened to, and come back to throughout their life, is the wholesome rock’n’roll of the those years– especially a lot of the surf/beach-inspired music (my love of The Ventures is heavily-influenced from them). So from the start of L.A. Exes “Baby Let’s Pretend” my ears perked up. In my mind, this song is nearly perfect in every way. Not only are the lyrics clever and skillfully delivered, but all of the music is also spot on. From the composition to the sound production, this song feel like it could’ve come off the A-side back in the 60s (except for the decidedly anachronistic subject matter of the song). Slightly heavy but muffled bass, tinny guitars, the works!
L.A. Exes have been on a roll with the three singles released from their upcoming album Get Some, but this one is a contender for my Song of the Year.
Review by Jeff “the white drew carey” Sorley
Marisa In Pink – “Every Day”
Laptop Punk Records, 11 July 2021
Here’s a quick slice of jangle pop music from Marisa In Pink. The song is sweetly and naturally sung by Marisa In Pink (with Grim Deeds on bass, percussion, and backing vocals) and the guitar is a pretty cool acoustic strummer. The melodies are endearing throughout, as is Marisa’s rather impressive penchant for dropping “fuck” variants all over this thing. The song’s lyrics are a sort of reality check about the drag of life. Pretty nice first single.
Review by RYAN
Tee-Vee Repairman – “Patterns”
Urge Records, 2 July 2021
Australian garage pop band Tee-Vee Repairman’s new 4-song EP Patterns is dirty lofi pop. There’s all sorts of nervy guitars and odd synth noises and drums seem to go from actual to drum machine song-to-song. The riff on opener “Bad Taste” settles in nicely and the melodic bass and synth hooks on “Patterns” are positively addicting. “Lights Out!” kicks up a storm with a cool-catchy guitar figure and closer “Dirty Hands” has a guitar hook that somehow marries classic rock and Devo. Makes me think of a more pop-friendly Coneheads or a more lo-fi Uranium Club.
Favorite song: “Patterns”
Review by RYAN
Turnstile – “TURNSTILE LOVE CONNECTION”
Epitaph Records, 19 June 2021
Turnstile’s TURNSTILE LOVE CONNECTION is an EP release from the Baltimore hardcore band. Opener “HOLIDAY” breaks through with a slightly pop take on their brutal sound, a stomping kong riff that grooves and settles like a butt mark on a couch. “NO SURPRISE” is a twinkling reverbed interlude that doesn’t do much beyond move things along. “MYSTERY” has another awesome riff and is a hardcore mutant before “T.L.C.” rages with the most speed on the EP – sort of reminds me of Angel Du$t circa Rock the Fuck On Forever, this song.
Favorite song: “HOLIDAY”
Review by RYAN
ryan is a reviewer and news editor for TGEFM. He’s very secretive, he might be an alien.
