The Harsh Light of Day

Fastball

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 19, 2000)
• Original Release Date: September 19, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Hollywood Records
• ASIN: B00004WLEI
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #132,333 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Retro is the way to go, September 19, 2000

By	"ecp2" (Durham, NC United States) - See all my reviews

One would be surprised listening to both Fastball's new album "Harsh Light of Day" and their debut album "Make Your Mama Proud". They've managed to evolve from those alternative, garage rock days to this album, which is full of somewhat retro, Beatlesque pop that is hard not to like. The songs aren't perfect, but there's nothing wrong with catchy. "You're an Ocean" is definitely a winner, and the arrangements on all songs help the medicine go down, since the vocals aren't quite top notch. But Fastball still shakes it up enough to keep you listening with both the guitarist and bassist singing lead. If you liked "All the Pain Money Can Buy", this album is just the next step for Fastball; so, I'd definitely recommend it.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Would do Lennon and McCartney proud!, March 6, 2001

By	L. Owyang - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

WOW, this is a great album! It's hard to express how impressed I am by it... As much as I hate comparing bands to the Beatles (cuz everybody seems to compare bands to the Beatles these days), I'd have to say Harsh Light of Day would have fit in quite nicely between Rubber Soul and Revolver. Listening to Tony Scalzo and Miles Zuniga, I really can't help but think of Paul and John. The songs are just so darn melodic, and the 2-part harmonies are simply stunning. The straight rocker tunes are great, and the guitars parts a bit reminiscent of the classic 60's sound, yet still retaining their own sound. Quite lovely.

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!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BUY IT!!!!, August 2, 2004

By	Hanna (Jackson, MS United States) - See all my reviews

Honestly, I can't say enough for this AWESOME cd. This has been said in other reviews, but Fastball does have a sound that can be described as Modern-Day Beatles. All of the songs have their own character and all speak directly to my heart. I know it sounds corny, but I have a close relationship with this cd, now. It is amazing how greatly this band matures with time. I will leave you with this: Buy It!!!!!!