Catspaw (studio album) by Matthew Sweet

From dihansse 12/19/2024 19:57

On the criticism of Mercury some years ago. I agree that many albums of Matthew Sweet sound a bit formulaic as in he has done this before. But that's not what I think of this albums which is to me one of his best. His songwriting and guitar playing sounds very inspired and I just like the general flow of the album.

From Mercury 01/16/2021 19:35

35 to 55/100 (Very very by the books Matthew Sweet power pop album with something or many somethings missing. I really didn't much like listening nor enjoy myself.)

This sounded quite bland and uninspired to me. The production and the way Sweet built out these songs are so plain. It's just electric guitar, bass, vocals for the whole album. Okay, maybe there were a couple extra things added here or there, but I honestly don't remember. But the stripped down power pop essentials approach to the songs are done in an almost lifeless way. The drums just sound so damn plain, almost plodding. There are a lot of awkward moments of silence and an emptiness in these songs for the most part. The guitar solos which are sometimes quite nice, sound strangely disconnected and un-integrated into the songs. I don't know how to describe it exactly. Like, this is the same formula as was so effective and vibrant on Girlfriend, Goodfriend, 100% Fun from 25-30 years ago. I don't know what element is lacking from those infectious and fun songs of the early 90s compared to these.

I thought I must be missing something here, so I am listening again now to see if it hits me different. Sadly, the utter emptiness of the songs is still glaring. The Tempos sound like they are dragging. I honestly am a bit perplexed and fixated on how terrible the drums and propulsive elements of these songs are. To my ears they just sound dead. Okay, I'm done beating that point to death.

You may know I hate dogging an album. I almost never like just trashing music, cuz I know someone else is hearing something totally different and is being blown away by almost any album I may have a bit of a distaste for. Also, I realize that I am just a guy with wifi, and also the context of when and how I listen to any piece of music is majorly influential to how I receive it.

So, just going over what I did enjoy here: There were some good melodies and Sweet has maintained that same charming voice somehow for 35 years (I could not hear a difference which is wild). The hook of "No Surprise" sounded good. "Challenge Your Gods" was pretty good I guess. Okay, I can't think of anything great sticking out.

That is basically all I have to say about this album. It hit me poorly. And I didn't like it much.

EDIT: On second listen, I like that there SOME weight and presence to the bassline in "Coming Soon". And maybe that is what is missing and why the sound is so empty and silent on other tracks, the bass is just not asserting itself enough. This song has harmonies and still some pretty lifeless drums, but also passable guitar soloing and it has some fucking energy! Good on it! I was about to give this a 25 to 45/100 grade, but this competent pop song raised it to 30 to 50/100