Absolute Radio: Discover real music

OBSCURE SONG OF THE DAY - FASTBALL

Back to work, VIPs. But, as they say, sooner started, sooner done. The weekend will be upon us again before you know it!!

Today's Obscure Song of the Day artist, Fastball, is an American rock band that formed in Austin, Texas in the 1990s. Their 1998 album "All The Pain Money Can Buy" reached platinum sales within six months of its release, and stayed on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart for a year.

The single "The Way" stayed on top of Billboard's Modern Rock chart for seven weeks, and was a top five hit on Billboard's Top 40 chart. Fastball followed up "The Way" with a second single "Fire Escape" and a third single, "Out of My Head," which quickly joined its chart-topping predecessor. "Out of My Head" reached the top ten on Billboard's Top 40 chart and was a top ten hit on the Adult Top 40 chart for 29 weeks. The band followed up their album release with a tour that also featured Marcy Playground and Everclear. After that, they landed a spot on the H.O.R.D.E. tour.

In 1999, Fastball received two Grammy Award nominations as a result of “All the Pain Money Can Buy.” One was for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, and the other was Best Long Form Video for "The Way." They also received an MTV Award nomination for Best New Artist.

The band later released "The Harsh Light of Day" in 2000 and “Keep Your Wig On” in 2004, neither of which achieved the kind of commercial success their 1998 issue did. Fastball is currently in the studio recording “Little White Lies,” which is due out in 2009.

When I heard Fastball's first album in 1998, I felt they were a "can't miss" band that would have hit after hit and would sustain a very long life. I thought their sound was very unique indeed. Every song was so well-crafted and excellently produced. Hopefully “Little White Lies" will mark a rebounding point for the band and they'll reclaim their foothold in today's popular music.   

Here then is Fastball with their 1998 award-winning hit single “The Way.”

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=b0wfu3tOrtQ

Tags: Fastball