First Impressions is a collection of whiz-bang reviews of singles, 7″s, EPs, and LPs which are given a review after a single listen. This is a great way for TGEFM to showcase some of the releases which may not get a full review on their own.
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Classic Pat – “Summertime Blues”
Laptop Punk Records, 07 Jul 2022
Classic Pat covers the heck outta the classic Eddie Cochran song “Summertime Blues”. His version is a straight-faced one, holding tight to the original structure with incessant guitar leads, stop-and-go rave-ups, and the can’t-miss feel-good fun feeling. The other song, an instrumental cover of Santo & Johnny’s “Sleepwalk”, is made gorgeous. It’s another classic, one that was simply tranquil in original sauntering form, and also here. Both are fantastic. Check this one out.
Favorite Song: “Summertime Blues”
Review by RYAN
Cigar – “Legacy of the 7 Piles”
Fat Wreck Chords, 21 Jul 2022
I liked a bunch of skatepunk yesterday, but Cigar came around as I was drifting away from Pennywise, Lagwagon, and the like, so I never caught anything by them. Now, they’re back and have a new one on the way. The newest song, “Legacy of the 7 Piles”, has some destructo guitar riffing, blistering speed, and some real power. The vocals sound fantastic and the musical precision is impressive. This song makes Cigar the first band I’ve added to my skatepunk rotation in a while.
Review by RYAN
Kelsey Badgrammer – “Swan Song”
Self-released, 18 Jul 2022
Ohio’s Kelsey Badgrammer has already kicked out some good pop punk stuff and they have a new album coming shortly. Along the way, they’ve dropped acoustic and studio session songs, including this new one, “Swan Song”. Armed with just a guitar and voice, Johnny recorded a melancholy going away / not going away number with great lines like “tell my asshole brother I hope he gets it together soon”. It’s a good little song that fans of the band will enjoy.
Review by RYAN
Heaven’s Gate – “Jerusalem Syndrome”
Self-released, 17 Jul 2022
First off, the drums on “Jerusalem Syndrome” sound awesome. And then, so do the serrated guitar and bass tones. This is pretty pulverizing music, fitting for a band with a Municipal Waste/Warthog/Reversal Of Man/Cannibal Corpse pedigree. The riffs are monstrous and the vocals spit overtop are nothing if not intense. I can feel the anger and energy and if I close my eyes, I can see this absolutely ripping live. Thankfully, Heaven’s Gate are pretty successful at translating that live energy into this recording. Top notch stuff.
Review by RYAN
Grim Deeds – “As Fucking Usual”
Self-released, 23 Jul 2022
Grim Deeds newest has biting guitars and a quick drum pace holding things down. The vocal melody and phrasing sticks good and the backing vocals during the bridge are right on. As with much of Deeds output, the lyrics are where it’s at. This one lays ideas raw, exposing a difficult and repeated cycle of communication failures, selfishness, and relationship breakdown – pretty much an expulsion-like therapy session put to song. The brutal honesty always makes his stuff work.
Review by RYAN
Alien Boy – “Wondering Still”
Get Better Records, 12 Jul 2022
“Wondering Still” by Portland’s Alien Boy has some cacophonous drums that take their time while sparkling and almost-shoegaze-like guitars come in and out of frame. The vocals have a cool sing-song quality and the music does well to keep an emotional stargazing feel that makes me think this would be pretty great during a late-night hang underneath a clear night sky. The song goes on a bit for my attention span, but really it feels like it naturally develops that way, so it’s okay.
Review by RYAN
ryan is a reviewer and news editor for TGEFM. He’s very secretive, he might be an alien.
