The Fastbacks: The band that didn't exist

The Fastbacks formed in 1981 and toiled nearly two decades crafting and perfecting a blend of punk rock and roll that drew inspiration from the melodic tinge of the Buzzcocks as well as the hooky melodies that marked the heyday of '70s AM radio. For a spell, The Fastbacks got caught up in the media frenzy that was grunge, with several albums on Sub Pop, and continued to crank out great music right up until the end, with 1999's "The Day That Didn't Exist."

2004 saw a "new" Fastbacks CD, "Truth, Corrosion and Sour Bisquits," an "Odds and Sods" collection, comprised of a generous portion and fulfilling sampling of the band's many cover versions, non-LP tracks and other songs that just missed the final cut for proper release.

Several tracks are worth noting, one of which is "All in Order" which rips with one of Kurt Bloch's many terrific guitar solos. Throughout the band's existence, Bloch proved himself a stellar guitar player and above average songwriter.

"I'll Return" excels with an emphasis on vocal harmonies wrapped around a clever chorus. Why this was an outtake from the 1996 album, "New Mansions in Sound," is a mystery, but it could have easily been a pleasant addition to what many feel was the Fastbacks' finest recorded work.

As far as cover versions, the group is all over the place, ranging from their spot-on cover of the Raspberries' power-pop classic, "Go All the Way," to a faithful rendition of the Pixies' "Allison" then hitting hard on the pogo punk of the U.K. Subs' "Time and Matter" and rounding things up with a kickass cover of the Supersuckers' "On the Couch."

Once you reach the album's final track, "Out of the Charts," one can't help but wonder why the Fastbacks weren't more popular.

Why no breakthrough album or major label deal?

And why did The Fastbacks seemingly come and go without a more lasting impact on the punk rock/indie rock collective conscience?

While this CD doesn't offer any answers to the above questions, it is an excellent reminder of the band's rocking sound, the invigorating and wicked guitar solos of Kurt Bloch and the Fastbacks' skills at taking punk rock chords, heartfelt vocals and the spirit of rock and transforming them into something special.