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.
Have an album or release you want reviewed? Send it to us HERE.
Review: Fatrace – “Fun, Fun, Fun”
Laptop Punk Records, 21 February 2021
“Fun, Fun, Fun” is an infectious surf-bubblegum-pop-punk song with awesome singalong moments and some great Beach Boys-imitation “wah-wah-wahoo” backing vocals. Lots of energy and some melody that reminds me of how fun their Swell Crusher EP from last summer was. I freaking love that record. Fatrace does their Ramones-inflected thing well and the song ends up a favorite of recent weeks. Good stuff.
Favorite song: “Fun, Fun, Fun”
Review: Devon Kay & the Solutions – “Frustrated People of the World, Unite!”
Self-released, 26 February 2021
Devon Kay & the Solutions have been releasing a string of singles lately, with the most recent being “Frustrated People of the World, Unite!”. Beginning with a rolling fun bassline before exploding into a cornucopia of melodic noise with all sorts of guitars, horns, and keys blasting out. It’s maximalist pop with fun melodies and an instantly relatable refrain of “we’re all frustrated” bouncing all over the song. Extra points for the warped keys that slather up the second half of the song.
Favorite song: “Frustrated People of the World, Unite!”
Review: Horror Section – “My Bloody Valentine”
Self-released, 14 February 2021
I really like St. Louis’ Horror Section. The 4-song My Bloody Valentine diced up my brain just right. “Five Below” hits the backing vocals and has dueling guitar leads. “Can’t Stop The Party” has a great vocal melody that ends up maybe the catchiest Horror Section song yet. “Die Alone” is a slightly slower pop punk song with an insistent lead guitar and a melancholy melody. And closer “Never Going Home” has a great hook on the chorus. If you like Horror Section, you’ll like this, and if you’ve not heard them yet, this is a good starting place.
Favorite song: “Can’t Stop The Party”
Review: Grim Deeds – “Stand Your Line” (Blazon Stone cover)
Self-released, 16 February 2021
So I’m a big Grim Deeds fan, but I was flummoxed about Cederic Forsberg. A glimpse into the Metal Archives tells me that Forsberg is hyper-active in the metal community, playing with many bands including Blazon Stone. Apparently Forsberg contacted Deeds to see if the two might collaborate on a Blazon Stone song, and “Stand Your Line” comes out a metal pop punk gem. Forsberg plays all the music and some backing vocals and Deeds handles lead vocals. It doesn’t feel weighed down like some metal, but it shreds and pops in lots of fun ways. Works weirdly well.
Favorite song: “Stand Your Line”
Review: The LJ’s – “Run (She’s Got A Gun)/My Brain (Goes Ooh)”
Self-released, 6 February 2021
Norway’s very-own The LJ’s owe a debt to Ramones and they seem to be good with that. This 2-song single is heavy on the hooks. “Run (She’s Got A Gun)” works with simple driving drums (complete with 8th-note hi-hats), buzzing guitars and is slathered in synths and vocal melodies. “My Brain (Goes Ooh)” has an even more endearing bunch of vocal phrasing hooks and melodies and the backing vocals are really good, too. It’s nothing you haven’t heard before, but it’s done well and the songs are lots of fun. Recommended.
Favorite song: “My Brain (Goes Ooh)”
ryan is a reviewer and news editor for TGEFM. He’s very secretive, he might be an alien.
