We’re heavily addicted to Matthew Sweet’s latest LP Modern Art over here at TVD HQ, and along the lines of “the first taste is free,” we’ve got a vinyl copy to award one of you.
Glide magazine condenses my thoughts quite accurately with yesterday’s review, “With a dozen cuts comprising the forty-two plus minutes of this album, none meander but instead strictly follow their structure, as on “When Love Comes Falling.” The resolution of such tracks isn’t the rousing epiphany of pop but slower more dramatic climaxes such as the one that caps “A Little Death,” the likes of which works equally potently on the mind as well as the body. Having already experimented with his chosen style to his heart’s content (see his earliest albums and Blue Sky on Mars), tracks including ”Late Nights with the Power Pop” and “Baltimore” exhibit the clarity of ideas honed to their essence.”
American Songwriter noted, “On Modern Art, his first album since 2008, Sweet does not change things much from his previous solo albums, and why should he? Sweet still wears his love of ’60s pop on his sleeve. The first three tracks quickly establish the musical setting. “Oh, Oldendaze!” has a pre-Tommy-era Who feel; “Ivory Tower,” with drums supplied by Fred Armisen, recalls Revolver-era Beatles; and “She Walks The Night” shimmers with the jingle-jangle 12-string sound of The Byrds.
On the rest of the album however, Sweet spends more time on plaintive love songs that rarely delve into the psychedelic-pop sound for which he’s most known for. The truly beautiful love song “Baltimore” and the piano-based, lush, yet subtle “Sleeping,” which closes the album, are two superb examples. Although the album includes song titles such as “Late Nights With Power Pop” and “My Ass is Grass,” Modern Art stands as one of Sweet’s most mature works, displaying his unique gifts as a songwriter and musician.”
Enter to win a copy of Matthew’s Modern Art by sharing with us in the comments your favorite piece of actual modern art—and why. The person who sounds like he or she didn’t simply Google something will be awarded the LP. We’ll give you a week to submit your entries and choose a winner on 11/3. Winner must have a North American shipping address to be eligible.
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