I suspect that I should be a Matthew Sweet fan.
Sweet is a power pop singer-songwriter of exactly the sort I tend to like. Artists such as Squeeze, Barenaked Ladies, Fountains of Wayne, Owsley and mid-career R.E.M. are all cut from the same cloth.
But as with Neil Finn, another power pop practitioner I should follow, I’ve just never gotten around to listening.
1991’s Girlfriend is the Matthew Sweet album that is most celebrated, but 1995’s 100% Fun is a close second. I picked the latter up from the used bin at Spec’s and my first listen left me wanting more.
Today’s song, ‘Everything Changes,’ reminds me very much of Owsley, the late and little-known pop singer who I discovered through his ties to Ben Folds. This song could have shown up on Owsley’s self-titled album and I wouldn’t have known the difference. I suspect Sweet was an influence.
I’m looking forward to giving 100% Fun another few listens because I think he’s onto something here. And I suspect I’d be equally pleased with Girlfriend. I hope that one shows up in the used bins before Spec’s goes under.
And a matter of time
For you it’s a matter of drive
You will let nothing
Get in your way
You set to conquer
Each single day
Everything changes
But change itself
You can take out
What you think you know put it
Back on the shelf
And would you believe me
If I’d spoke my mind?
‘Cause nobody gets there they just
Try, try, try
Everything changes
But change itself
Like a bird you’d sooner fly away
But you’re stuck in yourself
As everything changes….
We stay the same
But we stay the same
You keep turning
Before long you’re going to find out
What’s in a name
So you look for the answer
Then pull it apart
Tear it up ’til there’s nothing there
‘Cause it hurts your heart
Everything Changes
And for what you lack
You keep turning
Before long you’re going to find out
Everything Changes
It’s not hard to tell
Like a bird you’d sooner fly away
Meet Me In Montauk 
Nice sound. Did he ever have a hit song I would know?
It’s interesting how many of these artists put out what should be commercially accessible and popular work, yet only a few (like BNL) actually break through.
It does have a nice sound, but I guess there needs to be some other wow factor (or just plain luck) to get an audience to hear your music.