In Reverse

Matthew Sweet belongs to an honourable power-pop tradition in the US that is lauded in certain quarters but exists largely away from the gaze of the public at large.

This is surprising when one considers just how great most of this music sounds on the radio (especially when travelling at speed down Dual Carriageway 61). Sweet is a classic example: solid songwriting values are to the fore once again on his new album, with harmonies and counter-harmonies, strong guitar hooks, and a shiny, impeccable production job all going to make up yet another impressive collection of Californian-style sun-kissed pop that lovers of albums like Girlfriend and Altered Beast will welcome with open arms.

The opening ‘Millennium Blues’ turns a gleeful nose up at the jubilee celebrations. ‘If Time Permits’ is Sweet doing what he does best – melodic bittersweet love songs that find him bending his girlfriend’s ear as he whispers both sweet nothings and hard truths into it.

‘Hide’ and ‘Worse To Live’ are two classic Sweet ballads, with layer upon layer of vocals creating an almost swoonsome effect on the listener, in the style of those feted Wilson brothers and their mates.

Admittedly not everything here is up to scratch, but there’s enough to make you want to add to your Matthew Sweet album collection – or, if you’re a Sweet virgin, start one.