Fastball ~ "Little White Lies"

[The Party Captain]

Says according to FMQB, goes for adds today.

Hmmm...didn't know they were still around.

[atlantaboy]

^Yeah pretty sure You're An Ocean was out around 2000 (and didn't do so well), and didn't think they'd released anything since...

[The Party Captain]

You can stream the song on the band myspace

its okay...not great...not bad...has some hit potential

[The Party Captain]

Already making an impact on FMQB

D 48• FASTBALL LITTLE (331/3/Megaforce) 200 176

[singingsparrow]

I think part of their inability to build on their two big hits from the 90's has to do particularly with 1) being torn over whether to maintain their Alternative cred or make an earnest leap into the Adult Top 40 and 2) besides harnessing their garage rock-leaning sensibilities, like 311, being more about playing music for the sheer love and fun of it than trying to sell an image and/or deliver hits.

Their new album of the same name is already out, and I've listened to it, and while it sounds more mature than their previous records, it also isn't a stylistic departure for them in terms of production, where they focus on melodies with minimal added production. It sounds like they are just happy where they are, just as the similar Fountains of Wayne are.

Sincerely,
Noah Eaton

[chase]

The entire album is powerpop at its finest, an art which Fastball has certainly mastered over the years. To date, my favorite song in their catalog is still "Drifting Away" from Keep Your Wig On in 2004, but The Modern World is a special track on the current record.

[The Party Captain]

Shot up ten spots!

26 30 COUNTING CROWS WHEN (Interscope) 317 367
23 31 AMY MACDONALD THIS (Decca) 313 381
32 32 DEPECHE MODE WRONG (Interscope) 290 294
30 33 ERIC HUTCHINSON OK (Warner Bros.) 288 309
28 34 J.J.CALE ROLL (Rounder) 271 343
36 35• LISA HANNIGAN DON'T (ATO/RED) 265 264
33 36 SAM ROBERTS THEM (Zoe/Rounder) 260 287
39 37• FRANZ FERDINAND NO (Domino) 243 238
48 38• FASTBALL LITTLE (33 1/3/Megaforce) 238 200
38 39 LILY ALLEN FEAR (Capitol) 234 248
35 40 MICHAEL FRANTI HEY (Anti-) 232 269

[Minor Scratch]

I thought they got dropped by their label a few years ago. Did they get picked up by someone else?

[The Party Captain]

Actually they were dropped by Hollywood Records a few years ago.

I don't think they even have a label anymore. I think they are doing what many other 90s bands are doing, like Collective Soul and Sister Hazel, which is support themselves/create their own label.

[The Party Captain]

I think this could do really well on Triple A. Im already surprised as to how it is doing. They've been gone from the spotlight.

One thing we are still learning is how much of a following these 90s bands still have. Kids born in the 90s, like me, grew up with Fastball, Hootie, Gin Blossoms, and now pay respect with iTunes.

[singingsparrow]

May 1, 2009 21:34:50 GMT -5 The Party Captain said:

I think this could do really well on Triple A. Im already surprised as to how it is doing. They've been gone from the spotlight.

One thing we are still learning is how much of a following these 90s bands still have. Kids born in the 90s, like me, grew up with Fastball, Hootie, Gin Blossoms, and now pay respect with iTunes.

Hootie & The Blowfish could very well enjoy a partial resurgence in light of Darius Rucker's incredible solo success in the Country market (by partial I certainly don't suggest they'll have another multi-platinum album at any point from here on out, but could very well make some sort of larger impact on both Hot AC and AC radio again, or also cross over into Country, depending on whether the rest of the band assimilates to Darius Rucker's sound or maintains its more rock-leaning sensibilities)

I still believe "Major Lodge Victory" was criminally undermanaged in terms of promotion, and the Gin Blossoms deserved much more of a welcome return than they got. "Learning The Hard Way" sounded just as radio-friendly as their earlier hits, and "Heart Shaped Locket" also would have made a catchy single that would unveil their more power-pop side to some sort of audience.

Sincerely,
Noah Eaton

[atlantaboy]

May 2, 2009 1:28:46 GMT -5 @singingsparrow said:

May 1, 2009 21:34:50 GMT -5 The Party Captain said:

I think this could do really well on Triple A. Im already surprised as to how it is doing. They've been gone from the spotlight.

One thing we are still learning is how much of a following these 90s bands still have. Kids born in the 90s, like me, grew up with Fastball, Hootie, Gin Blossoms, and now pay respect with iTunes.

Hootie & The Blowfish could very well enjoy a partial resurgence in light of Darius Rucker's incredible solo success in the Country market (by partial I certainly don't suggest they'll have another multi-platinum album at any point from here on out, but could very well make some sort of larger impact on both Hot AC and AC radio again, or also cross over into Country, depending on whether the rest of the band assimilates to Darius Rucker's sound or maintains its more rock-leaning sensibilities)

I still believe "Major Lodge Victory" was criminally undermanaged in terms of promotion, and the Gin Blossoms deserved much more of a welcome return than they got. "Learning The Hard Way" sounded just as radio-friendly as their earlier hits, and "Heart Shaped Locket" also would have made a catchy single that would unveil their more power-pop side to some sort of audience.

Sincerely,
Noah Eaton

Yeah IMO prob. with both Hootie and Gin Blossoms is that new songs that sound just like their old hits aren't gonna cut it in the 2000s...both bands I think declined cause all their stuff started to sound the same (plus thought Gin Blossoms lost their main songwriter/guitarist)

People still love their old stuff (Gin Blossoms are now even on classic rock stations), but not sure any of these bands could make a significant comeback unless they came out with something new and updated for the 2000s

Actually can only think of one 90s pop/alt. act that lasted through the 2000s (Rob Thomas/Matchbox 20) and IMO he did it by constantly switchin up his sound with each new CD, rather than soundin just like he did in the 90s

[jvandyck87]

I would say the Goo Goo Dolls lasted through the 2000s as well, though to a lesser extent in terms of success. And if 3EB can do anything when Ursa drops, we may have to include them too.

[The Party Captain]

Matchbox 20 did it by piggybacking on Rob Thomas, who piggybacked on Santana with Smooth.

Goo Goo Dolls really is the only band that lasted throughout.

"Little White Lies" is a great album. I could see either "White Noise" or "How Did I Get Here?" as follow-up singles.

[jvandyck87]

I wouldn't say Rob Thomas piggybacked on Santana. Rob Thomas wrote that song and Matchbox 20 was huge at the time. My guess is Santana wouldn't have been able to have his three successful pop albums in the last 10 years if Rob Thomas hadn't written that song.

[The Party Captain]

Moved up four spots! :)

30• DEPECHE MODE WRONG (Interscope) 297 290
33 31 ERIC HUTCHINSON OK (Warner Bros.) 287 288
31 32 AMY MACDONALD THIS (Decca) 277 313
41 33• FLEET FOXES MYKONOS (Subpop) 277 229
38 34• FASTBALL LITTLE (33 1/3/Megaforce) 272 238
42 35• SCRIPT MAN (Epic) 260 228
27 36 ANDREW BIRD FITZ (Fat Possum/RED) 249 331
49 37• HILL COUNTRY RE YOU (Razor & Tie) 248 192
37 38• FRANZ FERDINAND NO (Domino) 245 243
34 39 J.J.CALE ROLL (Rounder) 237 271
43 40• AIRBORNE TOXIC SOMETIME (Majordomo/Island/IDJMG) 234 226

[The Party Captain]

Still climbing! 5 spots up from last week.

29 25• OAR THIS (Atlantic) 328 318
22 26 DEATH CAB FOR C NO (Atlantic) 318 376
30 27• DEPECHE MODE WRONG (Interscope) 303 297
27 28 M.WARD NEVER (Merge) 303 330
34 29• FASTBALL LITTLE (33 1/3/Megaforce) 302 272
33 30• FLEET FOXES MYKONOS (Subpop) 285 277
35 31• SCRIPT MAN (Epic) 267 260
31 32 ERIC HUTCHINSON OK (Warner Bros.) 263 287
25 33 KILLERS SPACEMAN (Island) 263 346
37 34• HILL COUNTRY RE YOU (Razor & Tie) 260 248
19 35 BEN HARPER SHIMMER (Virgin) 258 410
D 36• ZIGGY MARLEY FAMILY (Tuff Gong) 251 187

[The Party Captain]

Still gaining...

21 22 JAMES MORRISON NOTHING (Interscope) 343 392
19 23 RYAN ADAMS MAGICK (Lost Highway) 330 410
23 24 COUNTING CROWS WHEN (Interscope) 329 352
30 25• FLEET FOXES MYKONOS (Subpop) 325 285
29 26• FASTBALL LITTLE (33 1/3/Megaforce) 318 302
27 27• DEPECHE MODE WRONG (Interscope) 314 303
25 28 OAR THIS (Atlantic) 296 328
46 29• CONOR OBERST NIKORETTE (Merge) 289 216
34 30• HILL COUNTRY RE YOU (Razor & Tie) 286 260