Ron Sexsmith
"Retriever" 2004
While Ron Sexsmith has had little problem establishing his identity as a songwriter with the warm, compassionate intelligence of his lyrics, as a recording artist he's been a bit harder to pin down. After escaping the tape-loop jungle of Mitchell Froom's production on his first three major-label albums, Sexsmith has seen his music matched with the roots-oriented pop approach of Blue Boy and the subtle electronic textures of Cobblestone Runway, each successful but in decidedly different ways. At first listen, Sexsmith's sixth album, Retriever, sounds like an attempt to move back to the style of Other Songs or Whereabouts, but without the production excesses of those sessions; many of the melodies boast '60s-influenced pop hooks, and Martin Terefe's production subtly reinforces the Beatlesque qualities of the music, with occasional side trips into the land of '70s singer/songwriters ("Whatever It Takes" could almost pass for a lost Bill Withers track). But the results have a more open and organic feel than Froom's thematically similar work, employing real strings and less cluttered arrangements, and Sexsmith sounds quite comfortable in these surroundings. While Sexsmith sounded decidedly awkward and self-conscious as a singer on his early albums, he's grown into a vocalist who delivers his material with a genuine and compelling commitment on his recent albums, and Retriever sounds like his most confident and accomplished set to date. And as a writer, Sexsmith is still gloriously one of a kind, a man who can write about love without sounding either cloying or bitter, and can document both the bright and dark sides of life with honesty, heart, and clear perception. Most songwriters could go their whole careers without penning a song as strong as "How On Earth," "Imaginary Friends," or "For the Driver," and those are just three of the high points on Retriever; if you know Sexsmith's work, then you already have a good idea of how good this album is, and if you don't, this is a fine place to get acquainted. [The album was issued in Japan with the song "All Too Much" included as a bonus track.] ~ Mark Deming, All Music Guide
01. Hard Bargain
02. Imaginary Friend
03. Not About To Lose
04. Tommorow In Her Eyes
05. From Now On
06. For The Driver
07. Wishing Wells
08. Whatever It Takes
09. Dandelion Wines
10. Happiness
11. How On Earth
12. I Know It Wells
13. All To Much (Japanese bonus track)
While Ron Sexsmith has had little problem establishing his identity as a songwriter with the warm, compassionate intelligence of his lyrics, as a recording artist he's been a bit harder to pin down. After escaping the tape-loop jungle of Mitchell Froom's production on his first three major-label albums, Sexsmith has seen his music matched with the roots-oriented pop approach of Blue Boy and the subtle electronic textures of Cobblestone Runway, each successful but in decidedly different ways. At first listen, Sexsmith's sixth album, Retriever, sounds like an attempt to move back to the style of Other Songs or Whereabouts, but without the production excesses of those sessions; many of the melodies boast '60s-influenced pop hooks, and Martin Terefe's production subtly reinforces the Beatlesque qualities of the music, with occasional side trips into the land of '70s singer/songwriters ("Whatever It Takes" could almost pass for a lost Bill Withers track). But the results have a more open and organic feel than Froom's thematically similar work, employing real strings and less cluttered arrangements, and Sexsmith sounds quite comfortable in these surroundings. While Sexsmith sounded decidedly awkward and self-conscious as a singer on his early albums, he's grown into a vocalist who delivers his material with a genuine and compelling commitment on his recent albums, and Retriever sounds like his most confident and accomplished set to date. And as a writer, Sexsmith is still gloriously one of a kind, a man who can write about love without sounding either cloying or bitter, and can document both the bright and dark sides of life with honesty, heart, and clear perception. Most songwriters could go their whole careers without penning a song as strong as "How On Earth," "Imaginary Friends," or "For the Driver," and those are just three of the high points on Retriever; if you know Sexsmith's work, then you already have a good idea of how good this album is, and if you don't, this is a fine place to get acquainted. [The album was issued in Japan with the song "All Too Much" included as a bonus track.] ~ Mark Deming, All Music Guide01. Hard Bargain
02. Imaginary Friend
03. Not About To Lose
04. Tommorow In Her Eyes
05. From Now On
06. For The Driver
07. Wishing Wells
08. Whatever It Takes
09. Dandelion Wines
10. Happiness
11. How On Earth
12. I Know It Wells
13. All To Much (Japanese bonus track)
posted by Lizardson at 8:40 PM
6 Comments:
Thanks for this album
By the way, did you receive my mail, as you haven't yet replied
More! More Ron, please!!
Thank-you, thank-, thank-you . . .
IM
Dear Lizardson & Friends,
Greetings from across the sea. Hope all is well following the earthquake. The earthquake has jolted me in the action to get around to thanking you for all the great music you have been providing. I always thought that I was pretty much on top of all that had been produced in the late 60's and early 70's UK folk scene but you have come up with some rare and not so rare gems I totally missed becoming aware of. Thanks and again hope all is well.
p.s. [there's always a catch!!] have any of you come across the re-released o1977 album by Cathy Chamberlain called Rag 'N' Roll Review? I heard it has been released in Japan but have not been able to find it in Korea.
thx
Hi,
this blog is great and beautiful.
thank you.
My question: where can i download this album = ron sexsmith "retriever" ???
is my great wish ever ... i have birthday soon ;o)
love an peace,
michael.
Mighty
Post a Comment
<< Home