Home → Fastball → The Help Machine
The Help Machine
Rock · 2019 · 11 tracks · 35m

The Help Machine

Fastball

Polished power pop with a sophisticated, jazzy edge. Shimmering guitars and dual-vocal harmonies evoke a long drive through the American Southwest at sunset.

Find on Amazon

It's like the smartest pop-rock record from 1974 was actually made in 2019.

A sophisticated blend of mid-life reflection and melodic sunshine.

The Help Machine · vs · Fastball
Self Examination+1.0σ

The writing leans notably further into self examination than the rest of the catalogue.

Tracklist · 11 Tracks · 35m
01
Friend or Foe
3:57
02
White Collar
3:31
03
Holding the Devil's Hand
3:12
04
Redeemed
3:04
05
All Gone Fuzzy
3:17
06
The Help Machine
4:14
07
Surprise Surprise
3:32
08
The Girl You Pretended to Be
2:18
09
I Go South
2:32
10
Doesn't It Make You Feel Small
2:57
11
Never Say Never
3:12
Moments Worth Waiting For
The way the vocal harmonies lock into a tight, Beatles-esque weave during the chorus of Friend or Foe.
The subtle, jazzy electric piano chords that anchor the title track's sophisticated groove.
The sudden shift to a more intimate, acoustic-led storytelling mode on I Go South.
Sits BesideSee all
Little White Lies
Little White Lies
Fastball
2009

Shares power pop, alternative rock, pop rock (subgenres); bittersweet, wistful, contemplative (moods)

The Deep End
The Deep End
Fastball
2022

Shares power pop, americana, pop rock (subgenres); bittersweet, wistful, contemplative (moods)

Keep Your Wig On
Keep Your Wig On
Fastball
2004

Shares power pop, alternative rock, pop rock (subgenres); analog_warmth, studio_polished, layered_dense (production style)

Closer
Closer
Better Than Ezra
2001

Shares analog_warmth, studio_polished, layered_dense (production style); alternative rock, pop rock, indie rock (subgenres)

All the Pain Money Can Buy
All the Pain Money Can Buy
Fastball
1998

Shares power pop, alternative rock, americana (subgenres); bittersweet, wistful, contemplative (moods)

Something Out of Nothing
Something Out of Nothing
Nine Days
2013

Shares pop rock, alternative rock, americana (subgenres); bittersweet, wistful, contemplative (moods)

Via Satellite
Via Satellite
The Rembrandts
2019

Shares bittersweet, wistful, contemplative (moods); power pop, pop rock, alternative rock (subgenres)

Norman 3
Norman 3
Teenage Fanclub
1993

Shares analog_warmth, studio_polished, layered_dense (production style); bittersweet, wistful, contemplative (moods)

No Chocolate Cake
No Chocolate Cake
Gin Blossoms
2010

Shares power pop, alternative rock, pop rock (subgenres); analog_warmth, studio_polished, layered_dense (production style)

Mixed Reality
Mixed Reality
Gin Blossoms
2018

Shares power pop, alternative rock, americana (subgenres); bittersweet, wistful, contemplative (moods)

Reviews
AllMusic
Read review

Cassette uses generative AI to enrich its catalog. How we use AI →