Matthew Sweet is back in the arms of his fans

Matthew Sweet has accumulated some devoted fans since his emergence in the early '90s with the celebrated garage opus “Girlfriend.” They’re conscientious too.

At a show Monday night at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, the singer-songwriter-guitarist marked the release of his latest CD, “Sunshine Lies” (on Shout Factory Records), with a preview of many of the new songs. But it was obvious some in the crowd had already heard them.

“I got a leak of the new album,” admitted one of the faithful during a break between numbers.

“Is it bad that I’m singing along?” his companion asked sheepishly.

The new collection is a great big, slick and occasionally messy album in the finest Matthew Sweet tradition. All of the trademarks are there: pristine harmonies, crunchy guitars and melodies that stick like glue. The 4-5-6 stretch of “Flying,” “Feel Fear” and “Let’s Love” may be the best three-song run he’s ever done.

On Monday, Sweet mixed the new with a handful of favorites, including “Sick of Myself,” “Someone to Pull the Trigger” and “Divine Intervention.”  It was the band’s first show in a while and it wasn’t always neat -- but it sure rocked, just as you’d want it, with his usual crew of guitarists Pete Phillips and Paul Chastain, bassist Tony Marsico and drummer Ric Menck providing the power with the spirited familiarity they’ve developed over the years.

-- Frank Farrar

Sweet will perform tonight at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano and Thursday at the Echo in Silver Lake.

Photo courtesy matthewsweet.com