Ron Sexsmith (Canadian SSW 1995)

The earnest work of boyish Canadian singer/songwriter Ron Sexsmith won acclaim not from only critics but from fellow performers like Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello, and John Hiatt -- some of the same artists, ironically enough, who initially inspired Sexsmith himself to become a musician. Born in 1964 and raised in the Niagara Falls area, he started his first band at the age of 14, and within a few years earned his first regular gig at an area club. Influenced by Pete Seeger, he began making the rounds on the folk circuit, but soon decided to focus his attentions on becoming a songwriter.

Ron Sexsmith is so anti-cool that this may actually be one the coolest albums you hear. The Toronto singer/songwriter's appearance matches his music perfectly -- hair falling in tousled bangs over doe eyes and baby face; one of those guys who always got beat up in high school and couldn't string two words together in front of a real live girl without stammering. A wide-eyed innocent, Sexsmith's eponymous release marries the wonder of Jonathan Richman with the darker atmosphere of a Daniel Lanois. Superficially, the songs are so sparsely childlike that you're tempted to wonder if Sexsmith is either a master of affectation or some kind of idiot savant. ~ Roch Parisien, All Music Guide

01. Secret Heart
02. There's a Rhythm
03. Words We Never Use
04. Summer Blowin' Town
05. Lebanon, Tennessee
06. Speaking With the Angel
07. In Place of You
08. Heart With No Companion (Leonard Cohen)
09. Several Miles
10. From a Few Streets Over
11. First Chance I Get
12. Wastin' Time
13. Galbraith Street
14. There's a Rhythm
15. Almost Always (Japanese bonus track)