Fastbacks

Win, Lose, or Both EP (Popllama)
by Bob Ham

Take in the glory of Seattle’s Fastbacks, a band who have been playing some of the best pop-punk since before Green Day learned the chords to “Highway to Hell.” Not only has this band been an inspiration to many of Seattle’s up and comers, but they are still out there pumping out release after glorious release of songs kept short and sweet and in your face. This new disc, an EP featuring four new tracks as well as nine extra live tracks, does not stray from their signature sound for an instant and you, the listener, should just be glad about that.

The band lets not only their pop sensibilities shine to the forefront, but also whips out some rockers that will make your head spin. Although the only way to really get a feel for the live sound of Fastbacks is to take in one of their many amazing live shows, the live tracks will give you a sense of what you’d be in for. A must-have for fans and, for anyone just getting themselves on the bandwagon, a nice place to start your collection (but be forewarned, you’ll have to mow many a lawn to try to catch up with the gazillion seven-inches, EPs, and albums these folks have put out over the years).