Ron Sexsmith – Whereabouts

I Wanna Taranna Pt. 14: BMV #14 (3-For-$10 #6) Ron Sexsmith – Whereabouts

You know, Ron Sexsmith is one of those guys you tel lyourself that you should listen to more often, and you think you’ll get around to it, but then it takes you a long while to get to him. But then, when you do, you wish you hadn’t waited so long. He’s absolutely great!

Every Sexsmith album I’ve heard is it’s own little world, a place you can go to listen and forget about the world around you and all of the problems in your day can just go on Pause until you’re done listening. And when you go back to the world, you have a better, more comfortable, more conscientious and careful point of view on everything. Sexsmith’s songs make you stronger, smarter, and calmer. It’s amazing and true!

This album, his third major label effort, delivers on all of that I just noted, of course. It’s pop music, to be sure, but it’s so hauntingly real and you get such a connection with him and his band that it feels like a helluva lot more than pop music. This has soul, a life of its own, a somehow familiar feel to all of it, even if you haven’t ever heard him before. 

I’ve heard some people say Sexsmith is boring, or depressing, and maybe if it was a rainy day and you were just letting the afternoon come at you through your window, I could see how it’d soundtrack that pretty well. But even for that I can’t fully agree and pigeon-hole this at all. This is beautiful stuff. Essential. 

Ron Sexsmith – Retriever

The Taranna Was Hot Series: Part 12/25

Ron Sexsmith is one of those artists I’ve always meant to get to, having heard nothing but good about him for years. I love the singer-songwriter thing, and all reports were that he’s one to have in your collection, for sure.

And here’s how connected to my collection I am – I bought this album in the 3-for-$10 bin at BMV, an easy grab, thinking it was going to be my first Sexsmith record. I got home, went to alphabetize it into the collection, and realized I already own another of his CDs, Other Songs. How long has that been sitting there? Man, I really need to update my info, because I had no memory of this CD being here!

On the upside, I have two Ron Sexsmith CDs!

Now, Retriever. I loved it. It’s almost dreamy, drifting along with great pop sensibilities but keeping all closer to the chest, like it’s an intimate house party, or something. Does that make sense? The songs are so smart, perfectly realized. At first first blush, some might say it’s non-offensive, unmemorable music. But they wouldn’t have been listening closely enough.

This is such a rich album. It’s layered, almost like the Beatles. Strings, piano, guitar, all these elements blended together into a beautiful, lush, melodic soundscape that lets his storytelling shine. It’s intimate, like he’s singing right to you, and there’s not a weak song in the bunch. And the guitar solos! Great work.

So many little things that will turn up with repeat listens. With the good headphones, I could even pick out the creaking in the background of Tomorrow In Her Eyes. Listen closely, and you will be rewarded! You’ll also wonder how he does it, and wish you could write songs like this yourself.

In Sum: 

My sincere apologies, Ron. I should’ve been listening to you ages ago! And I’ll be getting to Other Songs very soon.

The Tracks: Hard Bargain / Imaginary Friends / Not About To Lose / Tomorrow In Her Eyes / From Now On / For The Driver / Wishing Wells / Whatever It Takes / Dandelion Wine / Happiness / How On Earth / I Know It Well