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Track Listings
| 1. Get In Line |
| 2. The Reason Why |
| 3. Believe It When I See It |
| 4. Miracles |
| 5. No Help At All |
| 6. Late Bloomer |
| 7. Heavenly |
| 8. Michael And His Dad |
| 9. Middle Of Love |
| 10. Everytime I Follow |
| 11. Eye Candy |
| 12. Love Shines |
| 13. Nowadays |
Product Description
Review
Eleven studio albums in, Sexsmith is no longer the "next big thing" in traditional songwriting. The Canadian has settled into a cosy niche as respected craftsman admired by the likes of Elton John and Chris Martin, his songs lending titles to Nick Hornby books, his work covered by Rod Stewart, Elvis Costello and Tom Jones. Recently a duet with Michael Bublé filled his coffers, and it was hearing what producer Bob Rock (previously known for rather heavier offerings with Metallica and Mötley Crüe) had done with Bublé that convinced him the former head-banger could usher his ballads onto the airwaves.
In that respect the album is a success, as its smooth, clean, unruffled soundbeds allow Sexsmith’s knack with McCartney-esque melodies and faintly melancholy message-of-hope lyrics to waft pleasantly across the room. Goodness knows what Bublé put in Rock’s tea, but it wasn’t hardcore. Long Player Late Bloomer is mellifluous but sometimes cloying: a granny-friendly showtune like Love Shines could be something an X Factor finalist would belt out a verse of, or one of Elton’s out-takes from The Lion King. There’s nothing in the couplets here to scare the horses either. As a lyric about small-town dreams it makes Paul Simon’s My Little Town read like Chuck Palahniuk.
An inoffensive country-rock tempo sets the tone from opener Get in Line, a none-too-impassioned, token stab at rainy-day misery. In Miracles he suggests "there are miracles appearing in broad daylight to a cynical world so blind", but there are few in evidence here. Believe It When I See It boasts a little more Tom Petty-ish muscle; you can almost imagine Roy Orbison shifting gears through this. More depth can be discerned on the autobiographical title-track, in which Sexsmith addresses early midlife crisis by advocating turning the record over. The "song is my saviour" and he’s "heard the penny drop".
It seems he’s decided the way forward to consolidating his status as national treasure of the Songwriter’s Republic is caution and conservatism. While the album’s polished and pristine, it also feels dated and somewhat lacklustre, any true inspiration placed on hold. This is Elton Ron.
--Chris Roberts
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Product Description
CD
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
By C. Latham
Format:Audio CD
aah, i feel like i've crashed a party just as the guests are leaving! Ron Sexsmith has never been on my radar - and i'm ashamed. He's been all over BBC4 recently and i happened upon him by accident. The songs on this album are beautifully crafted, as are the others on previous albums. It seems, however, that Ron craves the commercial success he certainly deserves and has drafted in "rock" producer Bob Rock for this album. The result is a collection of lush, MOR versions of Ron's ideas. This is both a good thing and a bad thing. It is very agreeable on the ears yet feels like a plea. He SHOULD be much more recognised than he is but, in a 100mph world where songs/singers are thrust in our faces at the speed of sound and then thrust in the 'bargain bin' even quicker, listeners usually lack the attention span needed to appreciate such a gorgeous effort. I sincerely hope that this is NOT his last album! This man has a grasp of melody to rival Paul McCartney. These are wonderful ways to spend three minutes.
This is NOT derivative BUT buy this if you enjoy Paul McCartney, Ryan Adams, Rufus Wainwright, Brian Wilson, Lloyd Cole, Paul Simon etc....
Wonderful Stuff!!
This is NOT derivative BUT buy this if you enjoy Paul McCartney, Ryan Adams, Rufus Wainwright, Brian Wilson, Lloyd Cole, Paul Simon etc....
Wonderful Stuff!!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By H. Mulligan
Format:MP3 Download
A tricky review for a tricky album. On the one hand we have undoubtedly brilliant song writing, a great voice and phrasing most song writers would kill for. On the other hand we have production which manages to treat these songs as though they are middle of the road, soft and / or country rock, destined for the Radio 2 playlist. The production would be more at home with latter day Del Amitri or Train and whilst that may be right for them it isn't right for Ron.
I desperately wanted to like this album following the recent showing of the documentary on BBC4 but had reservations due to the producer and the team involved. Ron needs exposure and deserves to have commercial success and I hope that this album brings him that and that it leads to people finding his back catalogue. This album is just not in the same league as some of his early outings, particularly his first two albums, sure the songs are still as good as ever but the production does everything it can to stifle them.
After watching the documentary I understand why he used the team he has but I wish he would have approached people who could have done something really special and given his songs the prodcution they deserve. I would love to hear these songs again after production by Phil Ek or Tim Elsenburg and I sincerely hope that Ron seeks out the right production team for his next album.
I desperately wanted to like this album following the recent showing of the documentary on BBC4 but had reservations due to the producer and the team involved. Ron needs exposure and deserves to have commercial success and I hope that this album brings him that and that it leads to people finding his back catalogue. This album is just not in the same league as some of his early outings, particularly his first two albums, sure the songs are still as good as ever but the production does everything it can to stifle them.
After watching the documentary I understand why he used the team he has but I wish he would have approached people who could have done something really special and given his songs the prodcution they deserve. I would love to hear these songs again after production by Phil Ek or Tim Elsenburg and I sincerely hope that Ron seeks out the right production team for his next album.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Iris
Format:Audio CD
This is another of Ron Sexsmith's in so many ways inspiring and beautifully crafted albums. Many of his songs are simply addictive. Lyrics that catch us and our emotions, and will stay with you. Melodies, that carry you away, so uplifting, and simply beautiful. An exceptional, and I think fabulously talented singer, a genius songwriter, whom I prefer by miles to Mr Bubble and friends... His performance on the BBC 4 songwriter's show was the best and most enjoyable music I have heard for many years, and my partner and I catch ourselves watching it again and again. Pure joy :) Go and see him in concert this year in Europe if you can - and buy not only this remarkable, but all of his records (there isn't a single bad one). For more information on his current tour and records, have a look at (...)
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4.9 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Genius
fantastic album this man is a genius I have seen him live and he is just as good as his albums
Published 28 days ago by sue taylor
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ron The Song
This man is a top drawer song writer, and up there with the greats. Being modest, and almost humble about his work, he has produced here a wonderful album, with many beautiful... Read more
Published 3 months ago by stevesviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great discovery
I had never heard of Ron Sexsmith until at the beginning of this year a friend encouraged me to listen to this album .... Read more
Published 5 months ago by S. Ferrer-Salat
5.0 out of 5 stars
Melodies Galore!
Saw him on Jools Holland earlier in the year and loved the song but was concerned it would be a bit too 'country' for me. How wrong I was. Delightful melodies... Read more
Published 17 months ago by J. Needham
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ron gets better with age!
Great! Saw him in concert in Brighton recently and he was really good, packed out and many encores which he seemed to find surprising, it is nice to meet someone who is genuinely... Read more
Published 18 months ago by sansue
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great album
Terrific songwriter, subtle, funny, sad, always interesting and engaging. These are excellent songs, with some wonderful musicianship. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Robert Ashdown
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ron Sexsmith's latest album
A beautiful album of crafted melodies, all bound together by the rich soulful voice of a Canadian Genius. Mellow warm and unmissable.
Published 19 months ago by Marcus from Devon
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fabulous
A great little album for music lovers of most if not all persuasions. Memorable hooks and fabulous melodies combine with Ron's slightly off-kilter lyrics and vocal delivery to... Read more
Published 20 months ago by D. Wells
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome album
This is a fantastic album - I reckon Ron's best since his debut. I would highly recommend everyone buy this album and enjoy Ron's greatness with the production he deserves.
Published 21 months ago by El Pedro
4.0 out of 5 stars
easy on the ears
Bought this album after hearing him on radio 2,and was money well spent. Well written tracks most good maybe a couple of only ok tracks.Nice easy to listen to album.
Published 22 months ago by Nick King
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