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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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CD Description
180 grams audiophile vinyl Gatefold sleeve Exclusive innersleeve with lyrics
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
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!!
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This man is a great talent , like Neil Young he really is a poet . This record will I hope open up a new audience for him whilst keeping his old fans happy . The production grows on you and Rons music retains it's soul and it's honesty -- quite an achievement I think . His lyrics alone deserve a wide audience , lets hope this album fulfils the dream ....
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
A remarkable songwriter, truly remarkable. Melodies that become hard-wired into your head after one hearing. Lyrics that punch way above their weight. Eminently, compulsively, obsessively listenable. I'm no judge of what constitutes a genius, but I'm guessing this guy qualifies and having bought this album on hearing just a few songs on the recent BBC4 Documentary, "Love Shines", I know that all his others will have to follow it into my collection.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
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 6 months ago by J. Needham
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 6 months ago by sansue
Great album
Terrific songwriter, subtle, funny, sad, always interesting and engaging. These are excellent songs, with some wonderful musicianship. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Robert Ashdown
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 7 months ago by Marcus from Devon
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 8 months ago by D. Wells
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 10 months ago by El Pedro
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 10 months ago by Nick King
A revelation
I am a real newcomer to Ron Sexsmith but I am totally hooked after hearing a couple of tracks recently on Radio 2. This album is just great and is full of catchy soulful songs. Read more
Published 11 months ago by K. Morris
Another one for the ronettes
Believe It When I See it and Love Shines are the stand out tracks for me - two genuine Sexsmith classics. Read more
Published 11 months ago by rodders
Ron Want's Some Radio Play
If you are new to Ron Sexmith's music this is the most polished production of any of his albums and in many ways maybe his best. Read more
Published 11 months ago by R. Angel
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