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 Cheap Pops – “I Don’t Care”
Ramonescore Radio Records, 17 June 2021
Germany’s The Cheap Pops debut with an infectious pop punk song called “I Don’t Care”. The lead guitar sounds straight from the Screeching Weasel playbook and the pace is buzzing fast, making for a particularly good time. The song bursts with a great and fun singalong that prods “Vince” to do better and goes after the silliness of modern professional wrestling (that which they “Don’t Care” anymore) and the enthusiasm that they play around with is admirable. This is a killer good time.
Review by RYAN
Teenage Bottlerocket – “Ghost Story”
Fat Wreck Chords, 17 June 2021
Awesome high-energy guitar hooks over rolling toms and swiftly bouncing drums. Teenage Bottlerocket does this fun catchy-as-all-get-out pop punk as good as can be done. Lead guitar with just a bit of fuzz, melodic bass, and vocals singing something about accidentally dying in the woods and coming back to haunt someone. This stuff will get me singing along real quick-like after another listen or two. It’s some of my favorite punk rock and sets the stage for the upcoming Sick Sesh! just right. Check it.
Review by RYAN
The Chubbies – “Shine Shine”
Something To Do Records, 1 June 2021
The new Chubbies song starts out slowly enough with a couple of “are you ready’s”. Then it pops into a simple mid-tempo song with some hooks that’ll claw their way into your head. Drums sound like perfectly simple trashcan drums that lend a real layer of fun amateurish pop goodness to the song. Same goes for the basics guitars and bass. I really appreciate that sort of thing. And Jeannette Kantzalis’ vocals ride over top with some melody, a little playful angst, a bit of soul, and some dreamy backings. A pleasant entry into the Something To Do series.
Review by RYAN
Cub Scout Bowling Pins – “© 1-2-3”
Rockathon Records, 1 June 2021
I love Guided By Voices and most all things Robert Pollard. Cub Scout Bowling Pins seems to be indulging his AM Pop impulses and “© 1-2-3” falls in line nicely. The song has some gorgeous guitar lines and some soft and subtle vocal melodies touched off by some gorgeous “this is the place to be” backing vocals hanging like curtains over the chorus. Not much angst here, but the songcraft is undeniable. Recommended.
Review by RYAN
Geoff Palmer – “This Monkey”
Stardumb Records, 18 June 2021
“This Monkey” comes from the upcoming Charts & Graphs and highlights the power pop goodness that Palmer revels in. It’s a mid-tempo pop track with some muted melodic guitar, killer bass hooks, and Palmer’s ear-candy lead vocal takes. Toss in some positively endearing backing vocals and some terrific back-and-forth vocals (with drummer Zach Sprague sounding weirdly like a restrained Frank Black) during the verse and you’ve got a definitive winner. It’s a just-right song, well-written, well-performed, and a simmering contagion.
Review by RYAN
