Fastbacks

Two decades in, and not a smile lost. Seattle's oldest and happiest band doesn't sound bedraggled, pooped, and in need of Geritol, Propetia, or a double dose of Viagra. Instead, they still sound like a bunch of teenagers who've just climbed over the fence of a private swim club at midnight, dive bombing into the deep end with a big splash. New formula? Are you kidding? Who needs a stinking new formula when you have enthusiasm to match chops up the wazoo? This is melodic, sunny punk to be sure. But it's also still as heavy as paperweights and bowling balls, based on the slam-bang of Kim Warnick's rumbling bass and Mike Musberger's punishing power drumming, setting up Kurt Bloch and Lulu Gargiulo's gleefully crunchy, clear guitars. And why not continue to mine the contrast between this polished thunder and the girls' ever sweetened vocal tones, singing simple tunes of romantic confusion, empowerment, lament, and cheerfulness? It still works. These are late 30-somethings who grew up covering almost the whole catalogs of the Ramones and Buzzcocks when those were new bands, and have never forgotten that slight middle space in between the two. The zeal all four show would come to little if they didn't have these tunes, but having them to spare, they just can't wait to get up there and pound 'em out with aplomb and abandon. Witness the typically Who destruction-like ending of "I Was Stolen." They are also capable of dynamics and older pop touches, such as the most involving track, "Like Today," the '60s girl group opening of "Dreams I.H.S," and the blatant, amusing "Eve of Destruction" hook theft on "Have You Had Enough?" Years gone and they're more lovable than ever. ~ Jack Rabid, The Big Takeover, All Music Guide