FASTBALL / Step Into Light (2017)

I suppose the most accurate way to describe this is as a collection of brief, somewhat experimental, aural pastiches. Though, there are some slight, thematic lyrical consistencies present to ever-so-gently reign it in. There are auburn Tom Petty highlights running throughout and touches of Dick Dale. The echoes of early Beatles can be heard, as well as some guitar glint and vocal hum honoring their Rubber Soul/Revolver era.

Regardless of its quality, I absolutely cannot recommend this to a newcomer. If you’re well attuned to riding Miles and Tony’s pleasingly ever more eclectic groove, however, this is the organically scintillating next step. It feels like they’re doing exactly what they want and I couldn’t be happier for them.

Songs of Note: We're On Our Way; Just Another Dream

3½ Rabbit Suits Quietly Shed in Room 1408 (or was it 302?) out of 5

FASTBALL / Make Your Mama Proud (1996)

I wonder how many people even know that this exists? As soon as I was on board with All The Pain Money Can Buy, I immediately tracked this down and was blown away by how incredibly different it is from everything else they've done. The majority of what's on display is very fast and somewhat abrasive. That's not to say that the lyrics are lacking. They aren't. They're just carried along by much faster time signatures.

This consequently holds a teenage sense of nostalgia for me that's still able to be married to my long-held standards in regards to songwriting. I've always not-so-secretly hoped that they'd do something like this again, someday. A VERY special record well worth exploring if the songs of note appeal.

Songs of Note: Make Your Mama Proud; Nothing

4 Verses Max Bemis Would Be Proud Of out of 5

FASTBALL / All the Pain Money Can Buy (1998)

For a long time now, I’ve viewed this as their least successful outing. Depending on how you see things, this could be considered strange or even ironic, as it kicks off with the one song for which everyone in the world knows them. To anyone who bought this and never listened to what followed, FUCKING. SHAME. ON. YOU. There are a lot of quality tracks here and with every listen (to each of their efforts) I appreciate Miles more and more.

When properly conceptualized, their collective output is honestly far better than any single objective score of any given album could ever convey. They are unassuming geniuses.

Songs of Note: Fire Escape; Better Than It Was

3½ Doses of Blissfully Painful Honesty out of 5

FASTBALL / Little White Lies (2009)

I implore any potential listeners to give this outing more than a single spin, as I rather disliked it on my initial go-round. It struck me as strangely grating and off-kilter. Miles and Tony sing simultaneously more than they ever have previously and are content to be pretty brazen in their just-enough experimentation. They even indulge in some effective meta-musings of the sort the Crows and Fall Out Boy have previously delivered. It took some self-adjustment, but once I was familiar with how to traverse these alternate avenues, I found an experience that was as satisfying as it was different. Hopefully others will as well.

Songs of Note: The Malcontent (Modern World); We'll Always Have Paris (Everyday All of the Time)

3½ Mariachi Cadillacs out of 5

FASTBALL / The Harsh Light of Day (1999)

The best one hit wonders are the ones who carry on as if nothing ever happened, confident in what they do, making no unnatural efforts to further garner fame. There’s a consistent, comfortable professionalism about Miles and Tony that has long sold their effortlessly thoughtful pop tunes. While I usually prefer Tony’s contributions to a notable degree, this album is heavy with Miles’ musings, which makes it all the more impressive in my eyes. Some songs are crafted to be obscenely catchy and impossible to ignore. Others are content to make you wistful or give you quiet pause. Even better than I remembered.

Songs of Note: Love is Expensive and Free; Whatever Gets You On

4 Deceptively Simple Pleasures out of 5