On the domestic front, I just got the new Matthew Sweet SUNSHINE LIES
and Stratocruiser's EGG SHELLS from KoolKat Ray, and I really am digging
both.  I'm a long time M. Sweet fan, and I liken this effort closer to
ALTERED BEAST than anything else he's done - and that's a good thing in
my book.  Compared to his recent efforts, both solo and with Susanna
Hoffs, it rocks pretty hard.  I enjoyed his interview with Will Harris,
where he basically said he had written too many rockers, and had to
balance it out a little.  I was surprised by some of the lukewarm
reviews here, but after reading that interview I ordered it.  I'm glad I
did.  In typical Matthew Sweet fashion, the last track is one of the
strongest ("Back of my Mind").  Is there anyone else who has as strong a
collection of last-track songs?  Think "Smog Moon", "Thunderstorm",
"Missing Time", "Nothing Lasts", etc.

I took a shot at Stratocruiser, knowing that Mike Nicholson is a
Audities member and organizer of Sparklefest.  It's really good,
straight ahead power-pop, starting out with three rockers, then the
jangly "I Think So".  Highly recommended, especially for those
budget-conscious (only $9, with a CD-R of some bonus covers - including
Audities favorite "Crazy Horses").  Great guitar solo on the
semi-psychedelic "Rolling Green Fields".

Mike