Matthew Sweet, 'Sunshine Lies'

Backstory: For nearly 20 years now, Matthew Sweet has released some of power-pop’s defining songs—chart-worthy “I’ve Been Waiting,” “Girlfriend” and “Sick Of Myself” showcased the Nebraskan’s uncanny ability to wrap bluesy guitar shreds around catchy choruses and cathartic songcraft. Sweet’s the best of Lenny Kravitz, Pearl Jam and Television wrapped into one sweet pill, and the masses have certainly agreed over the years. Damn, what a perfect god-given name you have there, Matthew.

Why you should care: The big question with this release, Sweet’s first full-length in almost five years: how the singer responds to aging in a time when aging rocker dudes are writing extensively on the topic? (The Hold Steady’s latest album comes to mind). Gracefully? Hopelessly? With a whimper?

Verdict: Openers “Time Machine” and “Room to Rock” dive into uninspired Beatles and G ‘n R-aping territory, the later laced with redundant soloing courtesy of Television axe-man Richard Lloyd, who contributes throughout. “Birdgryl” improves with a Sweetian soaring chorus, and noisy “Let’s Love” correctly dials down Lloyd’s thrashing to toleration. But the twangy title track, the album’s best, makes this exhausting journey worth it. The cut recalls Bob Mould’s latest solo material, where a veteran singer sticks to what he does best—in Sweet’s case here, harmonies, jangly guitar fun and sounding like Matthew Sweet circa 1991.

X-Factor: The title of Sweet’s 1995 hit “Sick of Myself” was taken from a line in Kurt Cobain’s suicide note.

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