“By the lucky stroke of a magical hand we’re still playing” Tony Scalzo sings on “Electric Cool Aide” from 2022’s brilliant album The Deep End. We the fans feel the same way, and we have been given another record 2 years later. The record, Sonic Ranch is named after the famous studio it was recorded at. Fastball formed in 1994 in Austin Texas, and that song recollects their formation. This year the band will celebrate 30 years as a band.

“Put your foot on the gas now. That light ain’t getting any greener” from the song “Let Love Back In Your Heart” almost feels like a perfect metaphor for the creative state of the band right now; maybe it’s intentional, maybe it’s not. Either way the band likely knows after 30 years, any band is playing with house money, and they’re here to take advantage of it and are thankful to be doing so.

On the opener “I’d Rather Be Me Than You” Tony and Miles Zuniga harmonize on the chorus of the opening track. It’s a very direct track, that was the lead single for this album. The song sounds like it could’ve fit right in on the radio as a popular single back in the 90’s. That is familiar territory for this band, and this song makes you realize Fastball is back. Although, to most of their fans they never left.

The next track “Daydream” sees Miles taking lead vocal duties. In true Miles fashion it’s a beautiful song where he wears his influences such as The Beatles on his sleeve. The optimistic lyrics cannot go unnoticed here, “Here, there is no fear, there is no sorrow, only the sun” It can’t help but make you feel at peace for the 3 minutes. It’s a perfect change of pace from the opening track, and features atmospheric guitar leads all across the track.

Listeners should recognize the next Miles led track, “Hummingbird” as well as two tracks later in the album, “Get You Off My Mind” and “America”. These tracks were played during their set on last year’s live album, Smashed Hits. It’s great to have the studio companion for these three songs. “America” features incredible harmonies in the chorus, and has incredibly groovy guitar licks, and a memorable catchy bassline to go along with some impressive percussion work. “Hummingbird” finds Miles asking “What’s the word hummingbird?” in a catchy refrain that is sure to get stuck in your head for days. In “Get You Off My Mind” Tony and drummer Joey Shuffield drive the song with steady bass and drums, while Miles’ guitar flourishes throughout the song. The mix in this song really shines, and really highlights the perfect balance they found.

“Grey Sky Blue” is a gorgeous song with acoustic guitars all over the song where the playing reminds me of acclaimed artist Jim Croce, which is one of the highest compliments I can give out.

“Let Love Back In Your Heart” is a fun track, featuring a very well executed Tony falsetto at various points through the song. It’s yet another song on the record that challenges you to try to not get it stuck in your head, which you will have little success doing.

“On And On” is a very bass driven song, and is a song that really doesn’t find Miles or Tony taking a noticeable lead, and feels like a true collaboration vocally, with great consistent harmonies throughout the song. The bridge especially, is a great showcase of them trading vocal melodies before going back into the last chorus where they end with harmonies again.

The penultimate track “Island With Me” feels very intentional as the track to follow “On And On” In that song Miles speaks about “stepping out to get some sunshine” In the lyrics of this song he is speaking about being on an island, and it gives off a relaxing vibe where it makes the listener think the writer has found peace there. The sun continues to be a consistent theme on the album, and brings a sense of serenity along with it.

On the closer with the fitting title, “I’ll Be On My Way” we get a beautiful Tony piano ballad, that is short and sweet. It doesn’t overstay its welcome, and gives the listener a pull to instantly flip the record back to Side A and play it all over again.

Fastball’s last four records have come out no more than two to three years apart, and are all tight and concise. None of the records are longer than 36 minutes, and there’s a rejuvenated energy about them, that this album carries on. They seem to be having a second wind creatively that most bands this far into their careers could only dream of. In a press release for Sonic Ranch, drummer Joey Shuffield said of making this record “I love the closeness that we have on a personal level and a professional level, and that translates into the way we create music.” It’s very easy to hear on this record and it’s exciting to confidently believe that this band has so much music in their future.

I’ve had enough listens of this record where I feel comfortable saying this is their best record since 2000’s underrated The Harsh Light Of Day. It makes me so optimistic for what is to come for Fastball, and thankful that they’re so inspired all these decades later.

9/10
Fastball – Sonic Ranch
Release Date: 6/21/24
Tracklisting:
1. Rather Be Me Than You
2. Daydream
3. Hummingbird
4. Get You Off My Mind
5. Grey Sky Blue
6. America
7. Let Love Back In Your Heart
8. On And On
9. The Island Of Me
10. I’ll Be On My Way

Reviewed By Adam Backus