Sunshine Lies - Matthew Sweet Album Review

Matthew Sweet

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Album Review

Nebraska's Sidney Matthew Sweet, 47, one-time member of supergroup The Thorns, bounces back to life with a rip-roaring 10th album. Having made his name via the burgeoning Athens Georgia scene in the mid-80s, he's re-focused his writing on quality once more, though much of Sunshine Lies is way off mainstream appeal, not that it matters.

In 2006 he collaborated with former Bangles eye-candy Susanna Hoffs on a covers album returning to accessible and melodic formats synonymous with his breakthrough material. Possessing a fear of flying, it has inhibited his touring capabilities to support album releases, so things may well be the same right now. His usual collaborators drummer Ric Menck, guitarists Ivan Julian and Richard Lloyd, pedal steel guitarist Greg Leisz throw their collective weight behind this eclectic gem, with Hoffs doing backups on the title track.

This album is a kaleidoscope of colours sure to appeal to Prog-rockers, Americana fans and the plain curious. Psychedelia strong influences the undulating quality of Beatles-esque Time Machine with some neat and melodic guitar solos adding to the throw-back feel, giving it a Rubber Soul touch. Room To Rock 'does what it says on the tin' - raucous dirty riffs and solos aplenty, leading us to believe he's always had latent rock tendencies. Similarly, appropriately titled Flying brings us a belting and full-on approach, as if the soloists have been given a free-range to express themselves, and how, with the simple but fuzzed-out Let's Love almost being accessible with its whopping anthemic chorus.

Delving into the heyday of American folk-rock, Byrdgirl reminisces The Byrds' floaty and wistful template with dazzling solos by erstwhile axeman Greg Leisz. Up to now, Feel Fear is the most melodic, making it the most radio-friendly Sweet has elected to be: glorious harmonies a la Byrds / The Thorns. Right out of 60s California, the title track is a subtle mix of Beach Boys-meets-Byrds. The jangly and swooning flow is embellished by Hoffs' hushed vocal and the swirling pedal steel, while sumptuous and (almost) poppy Around You Now is a flavour of The Thorns all over again.

File under: Cool.

Elly Roberts