As Fast As - Open Letter to the Damned

Recently, I wrote a review of Justincase's debut (and so far only) album, saying "They are pretty forgettable - not worth more than a listen in the background every once in awhile." Consider As Fast As sort of the opposite. They don't do anything particularly new, but they do it very well. The Maine-based power pop band strings together eleven songs of sugary goodness with just enough edge to them to keep them interesting. Opening duo "Blame It on the Drugs" and "Florida Sunshine" are addictive and catchy, while the music shifts moods and speeds slightly from moment to moment. Two demerits: A) They don't do much new and B) the second half is a tiny bit weaker than the first half (but only a tiny bit!). The thing is, though, As Fast As's sharp songwriting and likability make it tough to care.