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Matthew Sweet has always been a favorite. He can craft a catchy three-minute song at the drop of a hat - taking from various influences like The Byrds, Big Star and many more. His breakthrough album Girlfriend is a power-pop masterpiece, but not too long after, he released an outstanding and underrated album, 100% Fun - and it’s today’s feature on I Own That CD!
Working with mega-producer Brendan O’Brien, this power-pop record (the title was derived from Kurt Cobain’s suicide note) rocks in all the right places, starting with the phenomenal “Sick of Myself.” The self-loathing track layers guitars with a booming rhythm section (led by the amazing drummer Ric Menck).
The album was met with moderate success and while “Sick of Myself” reached number two on the Billboard Modern Rock chart, the rest, at least, found their way to college radio that played the shit out of it.
Maybe my favorite track comes two songs later - “We’re The Same.” A beautiful, melodic track with fantastic harmonizing vocals and 12-string electric and acoustic guitars leading the way. Lyrically, it’s another song about sorry and frustration hidden behind the 70s style music.
The 70s are maybe a theme here, from the CD cover of 10-year old Matthew (with his huge headphones) to the gentle keyboard that eases you into the almost country-like, heartbreaking song “I Almost Forgot.”
From there, Sweet and his fantastic band (with Robert Quine and Richard Lloyd on dueling guitars) kick it up a notch with “Super Baby,” complete with a funky, “owwww” sounding keyboard/synthesizer. The only thing missing might be a cowbell.
The closer, “Smog Moon” is a top ten song by Sweet for me. It’s ethereal and sonic and looks at aging and the questioning and resignation that comes with that aging. Sweet was only 31 when this was released but already on his fifth album, it’s possible he was looking to the future. Thankfully, he’s still releasing great music, but is it 100% fun? Maybe, but so is this one, and you can borrow my copy if you’d like.
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