Live music: Matthew Sweet at the Paradise in Boston

To call Matthew Sweet's newest album, Sunshine Lies, a "comeback" would be a bit of a slight on the musician. You see, Sweet really hasn't gone anywhere. Sure, his only solo stateside release over the past nine years (since 1999's Brian Wilson/Phil Spector-influenced In Reverse) was the disappointing 2004 effort Living Things, but Sweet also released the quite-good Japanese-only import Kimi Ga Suki * Raifu in 2003. Add in his bizarre turn in the group the Thorns and his 2006 covers album collaboration with Susanna Hoffs (Under the Covers) and one can see that Mr. Sweet really has been as busy as many of his peers. 

So, to say that Mr. Sweet is "back" really doesn't seem all that fair.

But, I will say this. Sunshine Lies is Sweet's most consistent effort this decade. Much like the album's aptly titled opening track, "Time Machine," the songs on Lies bring the listener back to Sweet's power-pop peak. There is a familiarity that flows through the album, making the new songs old after a first listen. And, by saying "old," I'm not intending to insult. What I mean is that the songs feel comfortable. They aren't forced. And each could easily have fit on Sweet's timeless albums Girlfriend, Altered Beast, or 100% Fun.

To prove this point, Mr. Sweet blended these new "old" songs seamlessly with his crowd-pleasing classics as he and his trusty road band took the stage Monday night at the Paradise Rock Club in Boston. The set started with the first 3 tracks off of Lies: the aforementioned "Time Machine," "Room to Rock," and "Byrdgirl." Shortly thereafter, Sweet seemed to find his groove and dipped into the back catalog. The band played "We're the Same," with Sweet admitting he hadn't sung the lyrics in such a long time, he would most likely screw something up. This lead to the audience favorite, and Guitar Hero 2 track, "Girlfriend." After finishing the song, the audience had become putty in the performer's hand. 

Sweet's touring band consisted of many of his usual suspects. Tony Marsico kept steady rhythm on bass. Paul Chastain backed Sweet's jingle-jangle guitar strokes. Ric Menck, real-life Animal, dazzled on drums. And Pete Phillips did Ivan Julian, Richard Lloyd, and the late Robert Quine justice on lead guitar, floating and punching throughout the 75 minute set.

The show closed with two separate encores. Upon first rejoining the audience, the band played "Divine Intervention" and a smoldering version of "You Don't Love Me," which turned into a near-Crazy Horse jam as it built toward the end. After leaving and returning for their second encore, Sweet lead the way with a version of "Superdeformed," a non-album track originally found on the '90s compilation No Alternative.

It was a fitting way to end the evening. With the lyric "my blood is still warm," the performance showed that Matthew Sweet still has some fire left to burn. With Lies, he has shown that there are still more pop nuggets to be written.

Just, next time this happens, don't call it a comeback.