Search - Matthew Sweet :: Kimi Ga Suki * Raifu

Sweet comes roaring back with a classic after a decade in th

rash67 | USA | 08/21/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In reading Mr Lavezzoli's excellent review, where he says almost everything, I find he has said almost everything I wanted to say.



I found this album and I was put off by the jacket. Sweet has a huge loyal fan bass in Japan which has followed him from "Girlfriend", a Zeitgeist album, one of, if not the best album of the last twenty years, past 'Altered Beast", "100% Fun" and through the sinking ship of the subsequent albums. He as here as he has always a lyric yet mordant writing gift, a great harmonies, jangly Byrds style guitars. There was a dispute of some sort following his early stuff and his band parted ways. He wonderful backup band for Girlfriend, deserved a lot more credit Richard Lloyd, Ric Menck, Greg Leisz, but most specifically Lloyd whose masterful acidic guitar licks played off against Sweets softer lyric tendency. What he has lacked in recent years is Lloyd.



Sweet is a writer/singer capable of both power and sensitivity. Great harmonies, missing from so much new Rock.



New songs (for a live album). His Janapese fan base worships his every note. A famous Japanese artist did the cover as a tribute (famous to the Japanese): the cat is symbolic of Sweet, the Girl Japan! It certainly appeals more to them and Sweet than to me, I guess, but ignore the outside and get inside. This is the power, energy and spontanaeity of "Girlfriend", altho search as I may, there is not a standout cut like "Divine Intervention". Which is why I give it a 4 star rating rather than 5 under my tough grading system.



This album is obscure, you will have to seek it out, I found only one copy in the largest store in town. Your search will be rewarded.



Let's hope Sweets future efforts include Mr Lloyd and the rest of the crew follow this live format rather than the recent syrupy, overproduced, under-guitared albums.



"

Sweet Rock & Roll

paul | Orange County | 01/28/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is Matthew Sweet's best album.

Just straight-forward rock/pop.

Raw, but melodic tunes with heft and heart.

He cranked this thing out in just a couple weeks,

so he didn't have time to second-guess himself and slave over the production.

So what you're left with is an honest and heartfelt album that's not fussed-over."

"We are not so many worlds apart"

mwreview | Northern California, USA | 09/04/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Since "Blue Sky on Mars," I lost track of what Matthew Sweet was putting out. I still love "100% Fun." It is one of my favorite albums but, since "Blue Sky" wasn't quite as good, I lost interest. Well, running across reviews for "Kimi Ga Suki * Raifu," my interest in Sweet piqued once again. Boy, I'm glad I didn't miss this album! It is incredible! The liner notes explain that Sweet wrote all the tracks over a one-week period and recorded them without any demos. Well, I guess that was a recipe for success. The proof is in the pudding! The album is a gift to his Japanese fans (Sweet calls it a "love letter to Japan") and was originally not released in the United States. It is worth owning as an import for the higher price but, I'm glad it is available here.



"Dead Smile"(3:01): Cute little opening rocker, but better tracks are to come including 3 slam-dunks in a row!

"Morning Song" (2:37): Man, this is way too short! One of my favorite tracks on this album. Pleasant, kickback feel.

"The Ocean In-Between" (2:49): Wow, what a beautiful rocker! Definitely a tribute to his Japanese fans. The chorus is wonderful with the sweetest lyrics!

"I Love You" (4:39): Awesome rocker! Grabs you right away! The chorus is amazing! You WILL be addicted to this track!

"I Don't Want to Know" (2:29): OK, we got the 3 slam dunks out of the way (there are 3 more to come). This is a nice, pleasant, soft, yet upbeat, track.

"Warning" (2:53): I actually did not like this song at first. I thought its opening was weak, but it gets better with each listen.



"Spiral" (1:51): Now we're talking! But why do such awesome tracks have to be so short!? I want MORE of this! Dark, furtive-sounding, undertones with excellent background guitar!

"Love is Gone" (3:28): Slow and quiet number.

"Hear This" (3:22): Slam dunk time again! The awesome verses kick! In fact, the chorus is almost a let-down. It is a little country-sounding but not enough to detract.

"Wait" (2:39): OK, not a slam dunk, but still another pleasant track with soft vocals.

"Tonight We Ride" (2:45): Now, this IS a slam dunk! Flat out rocks from beginning to end! Great guitar, awesome chorus! Best track here!

"Through Your Eyes" (5:10): I can see why this is the final track as it has that feel to it. It is a nice, catchy song. At the 3:56 mark, it bursts into a guitar/drum instrumental and then peters out to end the domestic record.

"Silent Track 1" (1:50): I actually ordered the unenhanced domestic version, but received the enhanced one anyway. If you are wondering if the extra track is worth possibly paying additional money for the enhanced version, it is silence at first and then Sweet sings "Sayoonara --I will see you some time soon." I would say it is only for completests."