Sunshine Lies - Dark Publications

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Editorial Reviews:

Album Description
In 1991 Matthew Sweet released Girlfriend, an alternative rock milestone, and quickly followed it up with two back-to back classics, Altered Beast and 100% Fun, that cemented his reputation as an elder statesman of indie-rock. Now, nine years after his last major solo release and on the heels of side projects with The Thorns and The Bangles' Susanna Hoffs, comes his long-awaited new album, Sunshine Lies, which hearkens back to the glories of his revered '90s albums. Features long-time sidemen Richard Lloyd (Television), Ivan Julian (Richard Hell & The Voidoids), Greg Leisz (Beck, Bill Frisell), Ric Menck (Velvet Crush), and a guest vocal by Susanna Hoffs (The Bangles).

Album Description
The triumphant new album from the '90s alternative-rock icon.'3 stars (out of 4). His gift for melody is straight from a higher power.'-SPIN. In 1991 Matthew Sweet released Girlfriend, an alternative rock milestone, and quickly followed it up with two back-toback classics, Altered Beast and 100% Fun, that cemented his reputation as an elder statesman of indie-rock. Nine years later after his last major solo release and on the heels of side projects with The Thorns and The Bangles' Susanna Hoffs, comes his long-awaited comeback album, Sunshine Lies, which hearkens back to the glories of his revered '90s albums.

Customer Reviews: Read 5 more reviews...

2 out of 5 stars

Third sour album in a row from Sweet September 2, 2008
8 out of 15 found this review helpful

I've been a Matthew Sweet fan since day two (Altered Beast) and I must say this album is poor. It's got a good song base but without any kind of professional producing it sounds like an album full of demos, these songs belong on one of his many bootlegs (Supervixen, Superdeformed 1 and 2). Professional production is not a bad thing, in fact it's what pushed Sweet to the top with "Girlfriend" and "100% Fun". These songs likely won't receive any airplay, and that's a shame because the song "Let's Love" would do good on certain radio formats had it only been cleaned up a bit. The vocals on this album are laughable, I've met Matthew a hand full of times and have been to many of his concerts. I know his voice is not that high pitched. When Sweet sings "Sit Down" at the beginning of the song "Sunshine Lies" I can't help but laugh.
I've always rooted for Sweet and I was never somebody who didn't want him to hit the mainstream because I wanted his music to connect only with myself. As a big fan of "Altered Beast" I'm disappointed because this collection of songs (plus bonus tracks) is the first time he has really rocked since Altered Beast, but without Brenden O Brien these songs go nowhere. But what do I know? Maybe I should just write my own song.

5 out of 5 stars

Great return to form! August 26, 2008
5 out of 8 found this review helpful

Actually, I should say that, since I haven't heard his solo albums from the '00s, but this certainly is a continuation of the fine string of albums he released in the '90s. If you like your power-pop mildly psychedlic-tinged and full of gonzo guitar heroics and heavenly backing vocals, then this album is for you!

Matthew's back, sounding as good as ever!

4 out of 5 stars

Sunshine Lies sound sweet. August 27, 2008
5 out of 7 found this review helpful

I got "Sunshine Lies" today, and have already given it two loud listens. It reminds me of Blue Sky on Mars (Matthew plays everything but drums on every track, and he's a GREAT bass player), Altered Beast or 100% Fun (mostly up-tempo, hard-edged stuff), and touches of psychedelia, as on In Reverse. There is everything from mellotron on one track, to Susanna Hoff's heavenly backing vocals on another. There have been Matthew Sweet records that it took me several listens to like; "Sunshine Lies" will not be one of them.

3 out of 5 stars

Pleasantly Nostalgic September 14, 2008
5 out of 6 found this review helpful

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.

5 out of 5 stars

Matthew is back! October 4, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

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.

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