The Fastbacks play fast pop punk. I'm not sure where the "backs" part of the name comes from. I guess a band called "The Fast" would be a little strange.

Like most EPs, this is mostly a fan only offering-- four new studio songs with nine lackluster live songs tacked on. A whiff of Pixies influence wafts off the studio tracks. The vocals slightly mimic Pixie Kim Deal's pipes-- part bratty, part angelic. So picture a bratty angel singing with the occasional angel cohort in harmony. Like a cigarette smoking angel. Cute though.

Guitars chug along on those oh- so- trusty bar chords. You can switch meanings for "bar" as you wish. (Either the musical guitar fingering technique or a Coors- soaked, dimly- lit tavern.) It's all chord progressions that you've heard before. Luckily, the Fastbacks' skill and experience show. When it comes to bratty, angelic, girl, pop, bar punk, the Fastbacks practically wrote the book (or, most likely, it's a pamphlet). But once again, the whole EP thing just bugs me. It's a personal issue I have. It's not like an EP killed my dad when I was a kid or anything. I just feel reluctant endorsing a product when superior, lengthier albums are available. And this one's for devoted fans who like to play live tracks really loud, rub a used ashtray into their coat, and pour dank beer on the carpet to get that concert re-enactment vibe.

-Brent Dicrescenzo