As much as Matthew Sweet deserves kudos for taking chances on 2004’s Living Things—take, for example, the inclusion of steel drums, no doubt inspired by collaborator Van Dyke Parks—something important was missing. That something, it turns out, was songs; it was as if Sweet’s considerable melodic skills had been temporarily misplaced. Fans of Sweet’s poppier side will be pleased by Sunshine Lies, his 10th studio album, as the melodies and hooks are back in abundance; it’s as if his collaboration with Suzanna Hoffs on 2006’s Under the Covers, Vol. 1 recharged his melodic skills. Hoffs makes an appearance on Sunshine Lie’s title track; and between the gorgeous melody and the ethereal Beach Boys’ vocal harmonies, the song rests comfortably with Sweet's best work. With its lovely, delicate melody and chiming guitars, “Feel Fear” is quintessentially Sweet and would have fit quite nicely on 100% Fun. And if “Byrdgirl” more closely recalls short-lived Byrds-spinoff group McGuinn, Clark and Hillman, more polished and slick than the masters themselves, it doesn’t detract from the song’s overall appeal. All of this is not to say that Sweet has abandoned his rockier side—“Room to Rock”’s guitar jam recalls “Divine Intervention,” the abrasive, buzzing guitar throughout “Let’s Love,” coupled with Sweet’s high-pitched vocals, invoke Crazy Horse, and the snarling vocal in “Flying” sounds a challenge to the young turks. Playing on Sweet’s estimable strengths, Sunshine Lies marks a welcome return to form.
--Rick Schadelbauer [August 27, 2008]
