Tag: Matthew Sweet

Matthew Sweet and Heatwaves

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Matthew Sweet

Matthew Sweet “Catspaw”

Matthew Sweet’s “Catspaw” was completed last year, but only released recently and it’s his most somber and stylistically consistent album in many years. The theme of the album was described by Sweet “Don’t ever forget life is totally cruel and the catspaw is already coming down on you.” Sweet spent his time on this one, doing all the instrumentals with drum work by Ric Menck (Velvet Crush).

“Blown Away” boasts those oppressive chords, and bluesy swirling guitar fills that are his unmistakable signature. Sweet has always had the ability to draw you into his pain, and he does it here brilliantly. Next, “Give A Little” has a solid hook that keeps giving and has “a little bit of hope” as it lurches along. Then “Challenge the Gods” shows his defiance. “Punch the world in the face. Use your time to rise above.” as he offers sound advice to the oppressive environment that was 2020. The guitar melodies seem tighter and more focused than his previous outings since he’s handling the lead by himself. Many highlights are here, and overall this stands out as his best album since 2003’s “Kimi Ga Suki.” So technically — this will make my top albums list. A great start to 2021.

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Heatwaves

Heatwaves “Complete Recordings (2017-2020)”

Jose Dolz (Shock Treatment) and Luis Sanchez (Depressing Claim, Reactivos & K7s) wanted to do covers of those Phil Spector produced girl groups like The Ronettes, The Supremes, and The Shangri-las. They “discovered” vocalist Ana Beltran at a karaoke bar and the rest is history. However, the title is a little misleading, as this is not a defunct band, nor did they stop recording.

Opening with “My Baby Has Gone” it’s got the girl-group style as far as song structure, but the guitar figures more prominent than those buttoned-down original influences. It’s a lot of fun and catchy too. “Lonely Nights” features Beltran’s version of Diana Ross as those strings swell up. Hearing these tunes, they do make an effort to grow beyond the template, but you’ll have a grand time playing “spot the influence.” Overall it’s infectious, including some Christmas and French-language songs. Highly Recommended.

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Name Dropping 101: Matthew Sweet, The Stars Explode and me

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Matthew Sweet has released a new single titled “Stars Explode” from the forthcoming album Catspaw, due to release through Omnivore Recordings on January 15, 2021.

“Recently, I heard a song called ‘Matthew Sweet’ by a band from Chapel Hill, N.C. named The Stars Explode. I was flattered and liked the song and their band name, so I decided to use it in my song “Stars Explode.” The music ‘arrived,’ so to speak, together with the title. I’ve always been interested in Space and the greater nature of things; I love the concept that “we are all stardust.” I explored that idea in the lyrics. ‘Stellar winds she comes riding upon/with a nebulous intent…’ The female character here is sort of a Mother Nature of the Cosmos—maybe the queen of the universe! The way I come in singing that repeated note in the first verse reminded me a little bit of something Neil Young might do melodically. I had a lot of fun with the lead guitars on this one too.” —Matthew Sweet

 


Here is the track “Matthew Sweet” by The Stars Explode. Incidentally, the same band was also responsible for writing and recording the theme song for my power-pop show on 11L Radio New York International back in 2012. That’s only 3 degrees of separation!

Matthew Sweet and Cut Worms

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Matthew Sweet

Matthew Sweet “Tomorrow’s Daughter”

The classic Matthew Sweet style of pop gems continue, as these songs were written during the sessions from last year’s Tomorrow Forever.  Sweet has the same team helping out on his 13th release, with Debbi Peterson (Bangles), Ric Menck, Paul Chastain (Velvet Crush) and John Moreman (The Orange Peels). The openers “Belong To You” and “Run Away” recall the Girlfriend era and these memorable melodies are sure to please longtime fans.

“Lady Frankenstein” churns along, along with its fuzzy guitar rhythm, and “Out of My Misery” keeps those hooks coming. Like the previous LP, nothing here breaks from the conventional, nor does Matthew visit the textured experimentations of Modern Art.  But that’s okay because you get a solid group of songs that fit perfectly into Sweet’s impressive discography.”Now Was The Future,” speaks to Matt’s state of prolific status, “Maybe ’cause I was born here, I’m also harder to kill…” Other highlights include “Ever After” and “Passerby.” Highly Recommended.

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Cut Worms

Cut Worms “Hollow Ground”

Power pop often is referred to as music that worships the relics of the 60’s classic rock era. With that caveat, Max Clarke eagerly wears these pop influences on his sleeves. Clarke recreates the sound of The Everly Brothers perfectly on Hollow Ground. It’s a fine balance of authenticly produced sound and original songwriting.

“How Can It Be” has those steel pedal lap notes and precise harmonies that make it irresistible. “Don’t Want To Say Goodbye” has a twang and jangle melody and the sweetness of “Til Tomorrow Goes Away” displays a catchy casual bounce.  The country blues of “Think I Might Be In Love” and doo-wop rhythm of “Cash For Gold” are also memorable highlights. Fans of retro-pop rejoice, this one is highly recommended.

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Altered Sweet and Cavetown

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Matthew Sweet Tribute

Various Artists “Altered Sweet: A Tribute To Matthew Sweet ”

If there is one thing I know, Futureman records know how to do great tribute albums, and like the Sloan tribute from two years ago, this one is even better. Matthew Sweet has been one of the best examples of an artist who contributes to the genre with his tributes to his influences through the Under The Covers series with Susanna Hoffs. And it’s fitting to finally have other artists honor his influence. Overall, the guest artist list reads like a festival line-up for IPO or Power Popaholic Fest, so the cream of the power pop crop is playing here.

Sweet’s psychedelic jangle suits the lovely Lisa Mychols just fine on the opener “Looking At The Sun,” and the faithful approach works well for Andy Reed on “Where You Get Love,” The Well Wishers “All Over My Head,” and Greg Pope’s “Not When I Need It.” But for me, it was tough to pick out standouts because everyone does such a great job with the songs. Some touches are subtle, like Chris Richards & The Subtractions “Someone To Pull The Trigger” adds a bit of sadness that’s missing in the original or Simple Friend’s acoustic folk version of “Sick Of Myself.” Even the man behind this comp, Keith Klingensmith hits it out of the park on “You Don’t Love Me”

To some, this will be a great introduction to Sweet’s musical genius — hopefully, it spreads the love to fans who enjoy great rock and roll. One of the best tribute albums of 2018 so far.


Cavetown

Cavetown “Lemon Boy”

Cavetown is the brainchild of young UK musician Robin Skinner, and his latest Lemon Boy is essentially a soundtrack that would be perfect for a Wes Anderson flick. Done in DIY acoustic style, its like chamber folk-pop with an emphasis on the emotional and quirky lyrics.

The title track has a flowing easygoing chorus full of obscure references. “Green” is a look back on a lost love, and most of the songs are simple but intimate love-lorn ballads. Standouts include “It’s U,” “Poison,” and “10 Feet Tall.” Robin’s skill in composition and sound mixing is commendable with simple ukulele and double-tracked vocals. Give it chance.

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Matthew Sweet and Talk Show Host

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Matthew Sweet

Matthew Sweet “Tomorrow Forever”

Matthew Sweet has endured as one of power pop’s elder statesmen, owning album charts for most of the 1990’s and infrequently surfacing over the past decade or so. But no longer tethered to a record label, Sweet decided to go the Kickstarter route and the result is a sprawling 17 track songfest that throws together everything we love (or not love) about his music.

Matthew has undergone many life changes since 2011’s Modern Art. Following the passing of his mother, he returned to his hometown in Omaha, Nebraska to live and finish this album. It opens with “Trick,” a familiar chiming guitar gem that is a return to his classic style. It’s the distinctively layered leads, and hook filled chorus that sticks with you. The formula does get tweaked as we continue listening, Sweet adds muscle to “Pretty Please,” and ups the psyche-pop elements on “Circle.”

The songs are more autobiographical here with “Off The Farm” and “Come Correct.” The excellent  “Haunted” and acoustic led “Country Girl” with Gary Louris (The Jayhawks) helping on harmonies are standout tracks. But the meandering jams “The Searcher” and “Finally” shows that his album could’ve used some editing. Despite the hopeful gem “Music for Love,” the last track “End Is Near” has a weariness to it and feels like the artist’s swan song. We hope not, as Matthew Sweet’s music has adopted a timeless quality, a perfect melding of melody and guitar. Highly Recommended.

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Talk Show Host

Talk Show Host “Not Here to Make Friends” EP

Toronto band Talk Show Host does a great job delivering punk-inspired power pop and opening with the fast riffs of “Dead Meat” it wouldn’t be out of place on a Green Day album. Then the band embraces a snarl with its melody on the excellent title track, as they reference office politics; “We’re not here to make friends/ we’re just here to win.” The next song “I Hate Men (I Hate All Men)” could be an anthem for angry women, but sung by a dude sounds like extreme self-loathing. Overall a solid EP with no filler, but without much variety either. Still, if you dig punk pop this is a great find.

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