Wicked System of Things
Matthew Sweet · 2018
11 tracks · alternative rock
A melodic exploration of introspective themes wrapped in shimmering guitar layers and catchy hooks.
Top tracks — play these first
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Alone With Everybody Start here — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its contemplative lyrics and engaging melody, capturing the essence of isolation amidst connection.
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Good Girls Are Gone — This song features a compelling narrative about lost innocence, showcasing Sweet's knack for storytelling through vivid imagery and relatable emotions.
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Eternity Now — With its lush instrumentation and reflective lyrics, this track encapsulates the album's theme of longing while simultaneously offering a sense of hope.
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Flashback — This track stands out for its nostalgic undertones and catchy chorus, illustrating Sweet's ability to blend personal memory with universal experiences.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and production but remains within familiar alternative rock territory.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album maintains a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces more varied rhythms and dynamics.
- Several tracks feature layered guitar arrangements that create a rich texture, particularly in 'Electric Guitar' and 'Counting the Days'.
- The lyrics often reflect personal introspection, with recurring themes of change and self-discovery across multiple tracks.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- introspective themes for reflection
- fragmented pacing encourages exploration
- vibrant instrumentation for engagement
- melodic hooks for sing-alongs
Maybe skip if you
- seeking consistent, steady flow
- prefer straightforward, cohesive albums
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality and songwriting evolution after a six-year hiatus.
- Career context
- Wicked System of Things marks Matthew Sweet's return after a six-year hiatus following his album Modern Art. This release showcases his continued evolution as a songwriter, blending alternative rock with personal reflections that resonate with both new listeners and longtime fans. The album reflects a mature artistic phase, emphasizing introspection amidst the changing landscape of contemporary music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Juliana Hatfield· The Posies· Teenage Fanclub
Tracklist
- 1 Alone With Everybody Start here
- 2 Baby Talk
- 3 Electric Guitar
- 4 Good Girls Are Gone
- 5 Counting the Days
- 6 Eternity Now
- 7 The Biggest Lies
- 8 Flashback
- 9 It's a Change
- 10 Backwards Upside Down
- 11 Split Mind
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Heartworms
The Shins
Shares melodic introspection and layered guitar textures with reflective lyrics.
Kintsugi
Death Cab for Cutie
Explores personal themes with a blend of catchy hooks and atmospheric instrumentation.
I’ll Be Your Girl
The Decemberists
Combines thoughtful songwriting with lush instrumentation and a sense of personal narrative.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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