Search - Matthew Sweet :: Earth

An improvement over "Inside"

Scott E. Miller | Fort Collins, CO United States | 01/14/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Matthew Sweet's second album improves over the first, partly because the '80s were on the way out and there's less processed robo-pop in the backing tracks. Sweet's songwriting has also improved; while even the strongest tracks on the first album were usually buried under mounds of keyboards and drum programming, the clean production and arrangements on "Earth" allow the songcraft to show up front and center. Highlights include the wistful "Easy," a great opening track; "Wind And The Sun," which, despite some slightly corny lyrics, has a lovely, bouncy melody; "Children Of Time (Forever)," a somewhat amusing track in which Sweet projects his love affair into the far future (think "In The Year 2525" meets the Jetsons and Roy Wood all at once); and "Vixen," which, no matter what you think of the lyrics, has an irresistible sing-along chorus; it reminds me of Jonathon Richman's "Road Runner." This album might not take hold of you right away, but given a chance, it's as rewarding as his later, better-known work. If you like "100% Fun" or "Blue Sky On Mars" in particular, you might really like this one."

Good Music!

Ragnarok13 | Mars (and there's no blue sky!) | 04/06/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you're one of the many people who bought (and sold back) "Time capsule" wondering to yourself "how did this guy get a record contract?" you would find the answer to this question here. Yes, back in "tha day," Matthew wrote GOOD songs, with clear melodies backed by cunning arrangements. While not the masterpiece his first album, "Inside" was, Earth is still a great album. The leadoff track, "Easy" is a brilliant tune that makes the most of Robert Quine's and Richard Lloyd's guitars (they actually play REAL MOTIFS instead of just soloing aimlessly over a song!) The second song "When I feel again," despite its status as the album's second single is kind of weak, with Rich and Rob palm muting in the back ground. Both "Wind and the Sun" and "Children of Time" are brilliant excercises in melodic genius, but the album's most startling revelation is "Love" where Matthew actually experiments with Trip Hop/R&B to a very soulfull effect; something Boyz to Men would cover if they were cool. The album's first single, "Vertigo," is a great song and seems to be about snorting coke; ah, the eighties... But the chorus, punctuated by the heavenly sounds of Kate Pierson, is really what makes the track stand out.It's a shame this one didn't have a video with a bikinied anime girl to accompany it, cause it woulda been huge....."

Matthews Past Heading for towards the Future

deeresweet | Evansville, Indiana USA | 03/31/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This album marks Matthew coming out of the control of record labels and exploring himself. Though maybe not the prefered Girlfriend album, for those die hard Matthew fans it does not have to be. The album has emotional charging lyrics with a kind of mix between late eighties and early ninities sound. For the big fans of Matthew Sweet it is a must have. For those fans caught up only on the Girlfriend album don't waste your time or effort on an album you will never come to appreciate."