Angular Banjos

Matthew Sweet just released a new album entitled Tomorrow Forever, his first since Modern Art (2011). I pre-ordered mine from Newbury Comics, which secured my autographed copy.  According to the updated bio (Bud Scoppa) on his website, Matthew moved from LA back to his native Nebraska in 2014, just outside of Omaha, about 40 miles from his hometown of Lincoln. But shortly after the move his mother passed away. Stricken with grief, he “couldn’t even think about writing songs or starting to record for months and months.” But when the inspiration came, Matthew started cranking out the tunes. Kickstarter-financed by a loyal following of fans, the latest release consists of 17 songs chosen from more than twice that many. Matthew explains that while the loss of his mother informs some of the songs, it doesn’t overwhelm the album. The new LP is getting rave reviews. To my ear, it’s classic guitar-driven, pop-savvy Matthew.  He is definitely schooled in the history of rock, but never restricted by it. Bit of T-Rex here “Off The Farm,” smidgeon of R.E.M. meets Beach Boys there “Entangled,” yet he always sounds like Matthew, never comes across as derivative. Brian Wilson doesn’t do quantum entanglement or parallel universes in song. 🙂

Follow time as it flows both ways

Dreaming in another direction

In universes all around

We’re meeting in another dimension

Each one unaware 

Scoppa explains in the bio that “Spooky action at a distance,” as Einstein famously described entanglement, works as a good metaphor for the way Tomorrow Forever came together: “Much of this interaction was done long-distance, 21st-century-style, as song files flew back and forth between Matthew and his collaborators over the Internet.” The collaborating musicians include five guitarists: Jason Victor (Dream Syndicate), Val McCallum (Jackson Browne), John Moremen (The Orange Peels), Gary Louris (The Jayhawks), and Paul Chastain (Velvet Crush) and two drummers: Ric Menck (Velvet Crush) and Debbi Peterson (The Bangles). Of course, Sweet provides vocals, bass, and guitar, as well as Mellotron on some tracks. Special guest Rod Argent of Zombies fame plays piano to two tracks: “Haunted” and “Hello.” Very cool. He reportedly used his very own brand new grand piano he got for his 70th birthday. All in all, a worthy addition to the Matthew Sweet catalog.  He’s still got it.

My favorite tracks at the moment are “Come Correct” and “Carol.”

“Ladyfingers” from Modern Art (2011)
“Byrdgirl” from Sunshine Lies (2008)
“Hold Your Head Up” from Argent’s All Together Now (1972)
“Time Of The Season” from The Zombies’ Odessey and Oracle (1968)

Matthew’s Summer Tour

07/08 – Omaha, NE @ The Waiting Room
07/09 – Omaha, NE @ The Waiting Room
07/11 – Minneapolis, MN @ Turf Club
07/12 – Des Moines, IA @ Wooly’s
07/13 – Chicago, IL @ City Winery
07/14 – Chicago, IL @ City Winery
07/15 – Springfield, IL @ Bedrock 66 Music Fest
07/16 – St. Louis, MO @ Blueberry Hill Duck Room
07/18 – Kansas City, MO @ Knuckleheads
07/20 – Dallas, TX @ Kessler Theater
07/21 – Austin, TX @ 3TEN Austin City Limits Live
07/22 – Austin, TX @ 3TEN Austin City Limits Live
07/23 – Houston, TX @ Heights Theatre
07/25 – Jackson, MS @ Duling Hall
07/26 – Atlanta, GA @ City Winery
07/27 – Atlanta, GA @ City Winery
07/28 – Nashville, TN @ City Winery
07/29 – Louisville, KY @ Headliners
08/15 – Los Angeles, CA @ Echo
08/16 – San Diego, CA @ Casbah
08/18 – San Francisco, CA @ Independent
08/20 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir
08/21 – Seattle, WA @ Triple Door
09/07 – Alexandria, VA @ Birchmere
09/08 – Annapolis, MD @ Rams Head on Stage
09/10 – New York, NY @ City Winery
09/13 – Northampton, MA @ Iron Horse Music Hall
09/14 – Derry, NH @ Tupelo Music Hall
09/15 – Brownfield, ME @ Stone Mountain
09/16 – Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
09/17 – Norfolk, CT @ Infinity Hall
09/19 – River Fall, MA @ Narrows Center for the Arts
09/20 – Hudson, NY @ Club Helsinki
09/21 – Wilmington, DE @ The Queen
09/22 – Tarrytown, NY @ Tarrytown Music Hall
09/23 – Port Washington, NY @ Landmark on Main Street
09/24 – South Orange, NJ SOPAC

Read more:

Matthew Sweet talks Tomorrow Forever (L. Kent Wolgamott, Lincoln Journal Star)
Matthew Sweet Looks at Tomorrow Forever (Dw. Dunphy, PopDose)