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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The Rieslinger – “First Love”
Laptop Punk Records, 12 November 2021
Germany's The Rieslinger (Sid from Lookit, Martians!) is buzzing on “First Love”. The song goes by with a quick pace and some punctuating guitar stabs. The verses are cool, but the song really takes off on the bridge and chorus. There's tons of hooks and vocal harmonizing that really sticks well. And after the first run-through, the lead guitar is decidedly un-pop punk and all the more cool for it. Toss in some heavy doo-wop dallops and The Rieslinger have a catchy good number.
Review by RYAN
Ricky Rochelle – “Brighter Trail”
Eccentric Pop Records, 19 November 2021
The fifth song from the upcoming Ricky Rochelle record leads with some chunky rhythmic guitar and Ricky's vocals; it's a pretty simple and melodic verse that he goes back to. But the song really hits home on the chorus, where things open up, the vocal melody is terrific and sort of surprises me at points, and the choir-esque vocals going through the backdrop really up the memorable-ness. This might be too pristine for some (and I sometimes fall into that camp myself), but I like it.
Review by RYAN
Fucked Up – “Do All Words Can Do”
Matador Records, 16 November 2021
I typically love Fucked Up, though I've struggled to keep up post David Comes To Life. Do All Words Can Do is an upcoming 9-song set of B-sides and rarities from the David-era and “Do All Words Can Do” is a propulsive knockout. The song blasts with a bunch of no-nonsense energy, great lead guitar figures that stay around long after the song is done, and Damian Abraham's fantastic roar over top. The stop-and-go's offer a brief moment to collect yourself before each new sprint and the song wraps without dragging on too long. This is a fun one.
Review by RYAN
Dead Best – “Life, Love, and Liberty”
Don Giovanni Records, 15 November 2021
Philadelphia's Dead Best play a pounding stomper with “Life, Love, and Liberty”, going on vocal-free for the first forty-five or so seconds. When vocals come in, they are shouted off in the distance, mostly unintelligible to my ears, but weirdly memorable primarily due to their phrasing. The music reminds me of “Five Corporations”-Fugazi on some level, with a cool lead guitar line thrown in that plants a flag in my head. When it finishes, I'm not exactly sure what I've just heard, but I do find myself wanting to listen again for clarification.
Review by RYAN
The Shang Hi Los – “Plymouth Rock”
Self-released, 5 November 2021
Okay, so this song opens with handclaps, that has me incredibly optimistic. The nervy guitar is weirdly good at worming into my brain, too. I'm really liking the vocals, both lead and the heavenly backings that “ooh” and “aah” across the horizon. Throw in some nice melodic bass, some busy-good lead guitars, and an engaging song structure that shapeshifts just enough to keep me on my toes, and The Shang Hi Los have a pretty good song on their hands.
Review by RYAN
ryan is a reviewer and news editor for TGEFM. He's very secretive, he might be an alien.