Critically acclaimed power-pop rocker Matthew Sweet, best known for

modern-rock radio hits such as the title track from Girlfriend

(1991) and "Sick of Myself," will issue a new album, In Reverse,

next week.

Sidney Matthew Sweet was born 35 years ago today in Lincoln, Neb. A fervent

rock fan while in high school, he decided to attend the University of

Georgia in Athens because of its hot music scene.

At school, Sweet met Lynda Stipe, sister of R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe, and

joined her band, Oh-OK. Sweet was featured on the group's 1983 EP

Furthermore, which was produced by R.E.M. associate Mitch Easter.

Sweet and drummer David Pierce left the group to form Buzz of Delight.

The band's 1984 EP, Sound Castles, written and produced by Sweet,

attracted Columbia Records.

Signing with Columbia, Sweet cut his debut solo album, Inside

(1986), featuring Aimee Mann and the Golden Palominos' Anton Fier. Sweet

was also featured on the Palominos' Blast of Silence (1986).

Earth, Sweet's 1989 sophomore release, included tracks such as

"When I Feel Again" and "Wind and the Sun." The B-52's' Kate Pierson and

Television's Richard Lloyd guested on the LP.

After the album's commercial failure, Sweet was dropped by his label,

causing a delay in the release of Girlfriend. The album was issued

by Zoo Records and sold well based on the radio hits "Divine Intervention"

and the title cut.

Sweet then toured with Lloyd Cole and co-produced Velvet Crush's In

the Presence of Greatness (1991).

Altered Beast (1993) was produced by Richard Dashut, best known

for his work on Fleetwood Mac's Rumours. The ambitious album wasn't

as well received as its predecessor, but featured catchy pop-rock cuts

such as "Time Capsule" and "Someone to Pull the Trigger."

The Brendan O'Brien-produced 100% Fun (1995) went gold on the

strength of "Sick of Myself" and included "Giving It Back" and "Smog Moon."

Two years later, Blue Sky on Mars featured Sweet's usual mix of

clever songcraft and noisy punk-influenced guitar, but wasn't warmly

embraced by critics or the public.

The new In Reverse features a few songs inspired by legendary

producer Phil Spector's famed "wall of sound" recording technique. The

album was co-produced by Sweet and Greg Liesz (Fiona Apple) as well as

Fred Maher (R.E.M.) and Jim Scott (Red Hot Chili Peppers, James Iha).

It includes cuts such as "Millennium Blues" (RealAudio

excerpt), "If Time Permits" (RealAudio

excerpt), "Write Your Own Song" and "Worse to Live."

Other birthdays: Thomas McClary (Commodores), 49; Kevin Cronin (REO

Speedwagon), 48; David Hidalgo (Los Lobos), 45; and Tommy Stinson

(Replacements, Perfect), 33.