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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Review: Time Limit Draw – “Lost My Mind”
Self-released, 25 March 2021
I’ve got no context for Time Limit Draw, but the cover (see above) is a favorite. Lost My Mind is a 2-song single. The title track is a catchy song with great vocal hooks on the chorus, swaddled in the standard but good buzzing guitars and some really simple but melodic basslines. The other, “Queen of the Dead”, feels a little more propulsive with a jumpy guitar riff and some fun vocal parts. When the shouty “whoa-oh, queen of the dead” chorus hits, I hear lots of Danzig-era Misfits, and I can get behind that. Good stuff.
Favorite song: “Lost My Mind”
Review: The Easy Button – “Waiting Room”
My Heart’s Not In It, 26 February 2021
“Waiting Room” is a single from Tampa band The Easy Button’s upcoming full length. By title, I thought I might be getting a Fugazi cover. But I was way off base. It’s straight hook-swarmed power pop with a contagious guitar hook, absurdly catchy synths that compliment the vocal hooks wonderfully, and drums that bounce a bunch. It ends up being a great song for a sunny spring day. I’m surprised by this one. Reminds me a lot of some good Fountains Of Wayne stuff, and I need that every once in a while.
Favorite song: “Waiting Room”
Review: DadxBod – “Party Attitude”
Self-released, 23 March 2021
DadxBod are a Ramonescore Washington-based band and Party Attitude is their newest EP. The music on here is the sort of basic buzzing stuff that I’ve come to love. The drums are prominent and stomp and the vocals are out front, melodic, and pretty right-on for the music. Love the hooks and backing vocals on “Double Creature Feature”. “Party Dudes” mid-tempo romp is super catchy and goofy and the crazed “Macho Man” moves the energy into the red. And closer “Better Off Without You” is a “we are the freaks” gem. It ain’t perfect, but it’s fun.
Favorite song: “Better Off Without You”
Review: Brainpuker – “Stand Away”
People of Punk Rock Records, 18 March 2021
Brainpuker’s first song in around 20 years is a pretty cool throw back. It’s a real clean and clear recording with a nice bubbling bass, some galloping drums, and some good guitars that go from blasting to muted and back again. But it’s the vocal melodies and backing vocals, especially on the chorus, that land the hardest. Maybe it’s the galloping drums or maybe I hear something akin to Mike Ness in the vocals, but it kind of reminds me of a fast Social Distortion song. Worth a listen.
Favorite song: “Stand Away”
Review: Manarovs – “Wallbreaker”
Self-released, 19 March 2021
Manarovs are apparently a COVID creation, an alien-loving, super agent-digging project that arose from quarantine boredom. The first Manarovs song, “Wallbreaker”, is an intense punk rock and roll song with attitude-drenched vocals that start alternating on the repetitive chorus and a pretty cool and aggressive guitar riff, and then they drop a rock n roll guitar solo over top. The drums have a lot of punch, too. Especially the crashes, they sound great. It’s not my favorite style, but I appreciate the edge and the rock n roll.
Favorite song: “Wallbreaker”
ryan is a reviewer and news editor for TGEFM. He’s very secretive, he might be an alien.
