Hip-O records released a compilation of Sweets pre-Girlfriend work called 
"To Understand" about 2 months ago (great compilation, a must-have for fans 
just for the liner notes) and I read last year he had a completed a new 
solo album (recorded at home with friends) that was to be released in Japan.

Billy

At 07:44 PM 1/24/03 -0800, you wrote:
>I saw this on Pete Droge's website:
>
>December 2002
>The Thorns record is complete. The Thorns are a new band with Matthew Sweet,
>Shawn Mullins and Pete Droge singing harmony. Look for the record on Aware/
>Columbia Records next spring.
>
>Anyone know any details?  It's been since 1999 that Matthew Sweet put out a
>record, and it seems like forever since I've heard anything about him or
>sicne he's toured at all.
>
>Jim