Matthew Sweet 20, Numbers,
Houston, TX, June 23, 1997
As opposed to the last show that I went to, matchbox 20, in
which I wasn't really expecting much and left pleasantly surprised, I was really looking
forward to seeing Matthew Sweet. I had no idea what a huge disappointment I was setting
myself up for. If you've read other reviews of mine (and I
recommend you do), you know that I try to be fair and I am usually kind, even if I don't
particularly like the style of the act. However, on this occasion, I entered a fan of
Matthew, and left with a mere shadow of the adoration I once had. Matthew Sweet just does
not put on a great live show. Or even a good one. The performance lacked energy. There was
no dialogue. There were long awkward moments of equipment issues and guitar tuning. While
I am a great fan of many of his songs, in concert, they were so distorted, one could
barely recognize one from the other. I remember hearing strains of "Girlfriend",
"I've Been Waiting", "Evangeline", "Divine Intervention",
"Sick of Myself", and "Where You Get Love", all songs that I love, but
lost something in the live show. I did like the newest song (from the CD "Blue Sky on
Mars") "Come to California", because, quite frankly, it made me want to
come to California.
I hate to be so cruel with my reviews and maybe Matt was just having a bad night. After
all, playing to 200 people in Houston, TX is not exactly Madison Square Garden. Matthew
Sweet has been around for a while, and he keeps writing great songs and putting out great
CDs, so he must be doing something right. If anyone reading this has had a better Matthew
Sweet experience, please email me at OTNote@aol.com,
and give this obviously very talented man a chance to redeem himself in my ears.
On That Note, I'm outta here......
C
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