While I loved The Way from Fastball's first album, I'd have to question their choice of singles following that, including the latest off this album, You're An Ocean. I liked You're an Ocean, but it just doesn't seem representative of the rest of the album, as did their previous singles for All The Pain Money Can Buy. While I suppose they fall into the Pop-Rock category, I think they're a bit more edgy than say, Matchbox 20, and not quite so pop sounding as Vertical Horizon.

Well, here's my breakdown:

1. This Is Not My Life: Awesome. Great Miles Zuniga rock opener. Uses that cool mono-stereo thing like they did in The Way. Very cool.

2. You're An Ocean: Tony Scalzo. Pianos are great. As far as the song goes, I actually think this is one of the weaker tracks on the album. Again, I question why they chose this as their first single.

3. Goodbye: A nice little mid-tempo Miles song. Even throws in that Beatles falsetto "hoo!"... haha... great guitar solo.

4. Love is Expensive and Free: Tony. Beautiful song. Great orchestration. I wish I could write a song like this. Awesome chord progressions. For me, starting with this song, this is where the album really kicks off...

5. Vampires: Miles. Nice picking guitars... the music on this one is sweet... has a cool oboe (at least i think it's an oboe) solo...

6. Wind Me Up: Awesome Tony Scalzo melody on this one... again, just like McCartney! Wicked tempo change in the middle of the song.

7. Morning Star: Tony again. The harmonies, guitars, and melodies on this one just make me think Revolver. Now that's high praise!

8. Time: Miles. Nice guitar bits for the guitar lovers (like me!). At this point I'm really starting to get a feel for Tony and Miles' different styles.

9. Dark Street: Miles. Another great song with a sweet melody. I love the background vocals on this one. It's like the deeper you get into the album, the more Beatlesque it gets.

10. How Funny It Fades Away: Amazing 2-part harmonies most of the way through. Sweet mellow guitars... hard to describe the feel of this song... melancholy, maybe?

11. Don't Give Up On Me: Miles. Great Texas feel to it.

12. Whatever Gets You On: Miles. Sweet acoustic guitars. Sweet song. Nice way to end the album.

ON LIMITED EDITION ONLY:

13. The Way. A live version.

14. Emotional. Miles. Kind of a generic rocker, but lots of loud guitars. I can see why they left this one off the regular version.

15. Love Doesn't Kill You. Another nice little Tony tune. Has a real light feel to it.

I normally don't write such long reviews, but this was such a great album, I felt like it derserves so much more attention than it got! Go buy it already!

Another gem from Fastball
Everybody remembers spending 1998 humming to "The Way," and later on "Out of my Head." The last album had 13 great songs, many overshadowed by the two hit singles. This time around, people shouldn't make the same mistake. I bought the last CD because of The Way, and ended up liking a few other songs on the CD even more. The first single, "You're an Ocean" could enjoy the same success as The Way; it has all of the pieces it needs. The opening song, "This is not my life" is a great opening that shows the diversity of this Austin based band. My favorite song on "The Harsh Light of Day" is "Love is Expensive and Free," complimented with a catch tune and great accompaniment (Mariachi Band, Orchestra). Other favorites include "Vampires", "Morning Star", and "Funny How it Fades." You can't go wrong buying a this CD, everyone can find something to like on it.

And just one more thing: the Limited Edition is only a few pennies more expensive and contains two more songs and a live version of "The Way".

Best Fastball Material
I know people say giving out too many 5 star ratings undermines credibility, but here is an album that genuinely deserves it. I recently listened to this record again after not hearing it for a while, and I was reminded about why I liked it so much. Harsh Light shows dramatic progression and improvement by Fastball over their two previous albums, Make Your Mama Proud and All the Pain Money Can Buy. There are no weak tracks and I was hard pressed to decide which song was my favorite. Everything comes together for Fastball on this album and I can't understand why their record company wasn't behind it. I can honestly say that this is the best cd I have ever heard, by Fastball or anyone else.

Best. Songwriters. Ever?
Tony and Miles are two of the greatest songwriters rock has ever seen. If you can find the limited edition of this album get it. The three bonus tracks are great. Great followup to All the Pain Money Can Buy. A better album, although their previous one is still my favorite

It will astonish you!
Wow-there is so much going on in this album. This group displays the dichotomy of two opposing personas, as do Lennon/McCartney. Yes, I am sick of the Beatles comparison too, folks. No one can compare to the Beatles, but when someone gets close, I take notice. I am completely blown away by this Tony Scalzo. Where has this man been all my life. What a song writer! Miles puts me off alittle, but I think that's exactly what he wants to do. I just hope the energies the two create are their own and not some pop-producer's manifestation of what will sell. I hate that. The fact that they are not the best looking two guys makes me feel better though. I guess that's why they have Joey Shuffield. Ha ha! Anyhow, I eagerly await any new release from this group. Buy all their albums because there are gems in every track. Tony's voice is absolutey pure warmth, and Miles can really scream well. I mean it, as a musician I really love their sound! They are also virtuoso on their intsruments. Tony's bass playing is incredible! Miles is also a great guitarist. And even Joey impressed me- a very steady and inventive percussionist. I like their choices when they play. So I give this album, and all other Fastball releases my top rating, like it means anything to you...but the tracks are really great. But I even like the first album, Make Your Mama Proud. Also, no one seems to say enough about the song "Out Of My Head" from "All The Pain..." Let's face it, that's one of the best songs ever written.

Hope this was helpful,
Annie
Call it the gradual acceleration of Fastball. The Austin-based trio's debut, Make Your Mama Proud, was mostly forgettable, anonymous alternative pop. Their sophomore release, All the Pain Money Can Buy, upped the ante with more confident songwriting and a bona fide classic in "The Way." Album number three is The Harsh Light of Day, by no means a classic but another step forward. The first single, "You're an Ocean," benefits from a sky-high hook and the infectious piano pounding of Billy "Get Back" Preston. Speaking of the Beatles, the influence of the lads from Liverpool is pronounced on Harsh Light's production flourishes; the band opens up to heavier use of strings, vibes, and lighthearted steel guitar. Highlights include the slightly Southern-fried ballad "Don't Give Up on Me," "Wind Me Up" (which sounds like a haunted, forgotten Elvis Costello tune), and the jaunty opener of "This Is Not My Life." --Jason Josephes