Search - Matthew Sweet :: Sunshine Lies

Pleasantly Nostalgic

C. A. Baker | Massachusetts | 09/14/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

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When I last heard a new Matthew Sweet record, it was the disappointing "Blue Sky on Mars". Sweet, for whatever reason, went in a different direction and played nearly all the instruments himself, deciding not to bring back the core team of Richard Lloyd, Robert Quine, Ivan Julian. and Greg Leisz. Those instrumentalists are what made the sound of "Girlfriend", "Altered Beast" and "100% Fun" so distinctive. At that time I figured that maybe Sweet's best work had run its course and as a result his subsequent work fell off my radar.



That's what makes my reaction towards hearing "Sunshine Lies" so ironic. The core team from Sweet's glory days is back (sans Quine, who passed away a few years ago) and they recapture some of the old magic, but in ways that are mostly superficial. "ByrdGirl" recalls the shimmering psychedelic pop of "Girlfriend". "Room to Rock" brings back the dissonant guitar squall of songs like "Knowing People" from "Altered Beast". "Feel Fear" recaptures the melancholy vibe of "Smog Moon" from "100% Fun". But there isn't really any new ground being broken here. Like most of the record, it's all good stuff but it makes you feel like you're at a high school reunion. It's great to revisit the good times with old friends but you know it can't be the same as actually reliving it all over again.



If you're a fan of Matthew Sweet's "classic" period, you will enjoy this disc but perhaps find it to be a not quite necessary addition to your collection. If you're just discovering Sweet for the first time, you're better off starting off with one of his peak era recordings.

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Matthew is back!

T. Smith | San Francisco, CA United States | 10/04/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Matthew has his own musical path he's following, and you're welcome to come along, and if not, you have to admit he never puts less than 100% of himself into his music. I have albums of his I like better than others, but there's never been one that didn't hook me hard with at least a few songs. I'm pleased he's back after far too long a hiatus. I look forward to seeing him in concert again in San Francisco."

Excellent CD!

B. Knight | 12/27/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A rock solid return to form for Mr. Sweet. I've been a big fan from the beginning. I will admit to being a little disapointed with the last two disc. Sunshine Lies grabbed me instantly with great lyrics, melodies, and numerous heavy guitar riffs. Matthew is in great voice throughout. Sweet's high vocal range is countered again by the tangled, jagged soloing of Richard Loyd and Ivan Julian. I caught the band live 2 weeks ago. Excellent show. The new stuff played well along side the classics. (Ric Menck is the coolist drummer.)



Fall Out Boy? All American Rejects? Etc.. Please. Matthew Sweet is back. Buy this record.

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