New Music From Matthew Sweet
Pop music's Demigod is back.
These are hard times. Morale is down and the troops are getting anxious. The planet is dying and tears are forming in the eyes of every polar bear you see. What to do? Pop troubadour Matthew Sweet has a clear and simple solution to the various woes that plague us as a species, "Let's Love."
You may be asking; "Who made Matthew Sweet the ambassador of good will? Why should I trust this hippie stoner?" and most importantly, "Matthew Sweet has a new album out?"
Sunshine Lies is Sweet's tenth proper album courtesy of Shout! Factory Records, and Sweet continues his self-guided tour through the bubble gum factory. It's been over 13 years since 100% Fun was released - which stands as Matthew's last killer full-length from start to finish. During this time, his output became varied and he quickly veered into cult status (except in Japan). Not unlike Brian Wilson, Sweet's hermit-like existence allows him to demo nearly two hundred songs per album. This wealth of material from such a prolific songwriter has unfortunately been to his detriment.
Sunshine Lies suffers a bit from song choice, and strangely enough, production. That said, it's Sweet's strongest set of songs since 100% Fun and "Let's Love" is a stupidly giddy rocker that blasts out your speakers with naive abandon.
Posted by Joe Roth on Oct 08, 2008 @ 7:00 am