Matthew Sweet
(Shout Factory)
Still worshiped in power pop circles light years down the road from his last semi-mainstream moment, Matthew Sweet kicks off his latest effort with a song that feels like it could reconnect him with an audience beyond those faithful 40-somethings who've actually been to the Raspberries website (which is cooler than you'd think). But back to Sweet, the song in question, "Time Machine," is a crush-worthy power-pop classic, all wistful and yearning and instantly familiar - like an old friend who actually looks good. And the words are great, as the man goes McCartney for yesterday while pining for a lost love ("Soon we'll find we don't know what love is, long after you've said goodbye").
It's everything a fan could want from Sweet at this point. And it's not alone, although he does delve into harder rock to excellent effect on the explosive "Room To Rock," where Ivan Julian's strangled-cat-on-jazz guitar skronk makes it hard to miss the late great Robert Quine (on anything more than a "Damn, I can't believe he had to die and the dude who sings for Nickelback is still alive to ruin music" level). There are other rockers too, including one that feels like it may have been written while Christopher Walken was in the background calling for more cowbell ("Let's Love").
But Sweet being Sweet, most highlights are cut from a mellower cloth, from aptly titled folk-rock charmer "Byrdgirl" to the aching majesty of the Beatlesque (it's in the harmonies) "Feel Fear" and a psychedelic title track that makes the most of guest Susannah Hoffs' unmistakable harmonies.
Standout Tracks: "Time Machine," "Let's Love" A. WATT
