Fastball would seem like a band of the past, from their nineties heyday to their neo-sixties indie-pop. But they’ve actually been able to skillfully play the twenty-first century game of getting fan support through Patreon and the like in order to make new records. If you see them live (QRO ’24 live review), yes, they’ll play the classics, but they’re also still making new albums, very much in the Fastball vein with Sonic Ranch.
Opener/single “Rather Be Me Than You” probably does it best, catchy & cheeky in a way that Fastball has never lost to age. They are no veterans going through the motions, or tortured artists railing at the system, but actually still having fun being Fastball. Their sweet Beatles “Hummingbird” is actually a kiss-off, while wistful closer “I’ll Be On My Way” has an undercurrent of reality. The message in “America” might be a bit trite, but its wrapped in desert noir. And leave it to Fastball to have fun as they ask “Let Love Back In Your Heart”.
A key to Fastball’s longevity and enjoyment is that all three members – singer/bassist Tony Scalzo, drummer Joey Shuffield, and singer/guitarist Miles Zuniga – are all still members, still friends, still loving being Fastball on their Sonic Ranch.
