Fastbacks

Starting with a cool pop-punk version of the Grass Roots' late-'60s AM fizz hit "Midnight Confessions," the Fastbacks amiably do their always fine thing on this fun four-song effort. With Richard Stuverud hanging on as drummer once more and the Warnick/Gargiulo vocal team giving the material all the expected sass, all is again well in Fastbacks land. Bloch once again handles the writing of the originals and throws in fun skronk and crunch around Gargiulo's rhythm work, soloing just where it needs it for extra pizzazz. While little immediately distinguishes these songs from many of the other Fastbacks' efforts, Every Day as a whole serves as a fine precis for the neophyte. There's the addictive gang-shouting on "See and Say," the instant-smile-on-face fun of "Only at Night," and the reflection on time's passage, "What Will They All Say?," not forgetting the power pop hooks among the slight melancholy. ~ Ned Raggett, All Music Guide