Customer Reviews

Retriever

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is such a wonderful surprise after Ron's last album was ruined by the production. Here, his voice is respected by the mix, and there are none of the distractiing auditory effects that made some songs on Cobblestone Runway laughably unlistenable. Now, the production allows us to sit back and listen to the songs, and these are songs that really reward listening. There are several truly wonderful, catchy, moving, beautiful songs here. I Feel For the Driver is the emotional centerpiece of the album, a deep expression of compassion for those who hurt others unintentionally. As a person who has gone through a divorce, where you can end up hurting people you reallly love the most (your children), I was grateful for a song which seemed to recognize how difficult life can be when you hurt others unintentionallly. "Hard Bargain" could be a conversation between a down-trodden lover and his difficult partner, but I like to think it's a song about a guy fighting it out with his own conscience. "Tomorrow in Her Eyes" is just a perfect, simple love song--the kind of song that I think must make other song writers wonder how in the heck does somebody write something so beautiful and moving. From Now On is an upbeat song, like Dylan's New Morning, about new beginnings "It's a new day from now on..," but in typical Sexsmith fashion it's much more than that; it's also a statement in favour of love and compassion over fear-mongering, perhaps an allusion to the current war making around the world--"They're in the business of panic and control. We're in the business of the heart and of the soul." Many of the songs are masterpieces, but there are still a few weaker tunes. The only song on the CD that doesn't work for me is "Whatever it takes," though I must admit I would love to hear Al Green sing that one, too.

What makes Ron Sexsmith so special is that he writes these melodies that are as timeless and beautiful as 100 year old hymns, and his lyrics always seem to match the melody and rythmn almost perfectly. On top of that, his songs often touch on universal themes of forgiveness, loss, and compassion that are so much more meaningful that most of what you hear today. He may write better songs than anyone writing music these days. Why he isn't a superstar is beyond me. There's no one out there writing as many great songs as Ron Sexsmith.

Canadian Sexsmith remains mostly a cult favorite, but over a decade he has crafted a fine career releasing beautiful, catchy pop/rock records -- in the old fashioned sense of the word, "pop." (Jessica Simpson fans can stop reading now).

"Retriever," written during the breakup of his marriage, explores familiar themes of love and longing, but delves into more serious matter as well, commenting on our willingness to be herded into panic in "From Now On," the disc's gently angry and most driving cut: "They're in the business of panic and control. We're in the business of the heart, and of the soul."

The disc explores relationships in tunes like "Hard Bargain" and the piano ballad, "Tomorrow in Her Eyes." "Dandelion Wine" takes a well-worn title and spins a bittersweet piece of nostalgia. "Happiness" evokes Van Morrison. Best of all, Sexsmith offers no easy answers so while the tunes are beautiful, they're also deceptively complex.

Sexsmith is one of the finest melody writers around, following in the fine tradition of writers like Neil Finn, Elvis Costello and Paul McCartney at his best.

This is a pop record that will worm it's way into your CD player for years to come.

I am new to Ron Sexsmith. Where have I been? This Cd is outstanding and so soothing.... The instrumentals are soul syrup, the melodies are whipped cream and the lyrics are full of cherries, nuts and fudge sauce.....It is putting something so sweet and so nurturing into the hearts and minds of the hungry and starving. I am still in the stage where his songs resonate in my mind just before I fall asleep at night and that waking up means I get to hear his "comfort food" again.... This honeymoon will last forever.... Fall in love folks, it's worth the risk....Calorie free, I promise...Thanks Ron, God Speed !!

Ron is back in fine form with his latest release `Retriever.' He continues right where he left off with `Cobblestone Runway' and shows no sign of slowing it down again. The songs are mostly upbeat and optimistic, but have more of an acoustic sound than on his last CD. Not to worry though, he still has two of his signature ballads; an achingly beautiful FOR THE DRIVER and the soon to be wedding staple TOMORROW IN HER EYES. In these two songs, Sexsmith's vocals are backed by a simple piano or guitar melody and they are both just gorgeous.

Of all the fantastic songs on this record, no filler here, there are three that really underline how brilliant Ron Sexsmith is. Whether it's the soulful groove in WHATEVER IT TAKES, the Beatle-esque rhythm driving NOT ABOUT TO LOSE, or the words of DANDELION WINE soaked in regret, these three songs confirm that Ron is at the top of his game.

What a pleasant surprise. I've been aware of Sexsmith since his first release, but this is the first one I bought. Now I'll buy the rest. Classic songcraft. Think the best of Neil Finn, Jules Shear or Jeff Tweedy. Literate, but economical wordplay. Heartfelt. In lesser hands, a ballad like "Tomorrow in Her Eyes" would feel maudlin and treacly, here it feels like a standard you've never heard before. "Whatever it Takes" is a surprisingly authentic Philly soul. "Happiness" is soaked in the feeling. It sounds like a great roadhouse singalong. And "I Know It Well" is one of the best "end of an album" songs I've ever heard. It sets a wistful, melancholy mood that keeps making me go back and play the whole CD over again.

We are in the middle of a long, fertile period of exemplary songwriting from one of this era's very best. This album is further proof of Ron Sexsmith's gift. Like all others, the 1st listen of this one is reassuring: each song recognizable, but no sense that the man is repeating himself. Each subsequent listen brings the songs further into focus, takes the instantly hummable and makes them classic. Like each prior release, give this one a play or two. Then see: you'll have this in your cd player for weeks, months. It's that good.

The whole thing is a highlight, but singular moments include the choruses of 'How on Earth' and 'Wishing Wells', the harmonies on 'Imaginary Friends' and the instrumentation throughout.(...)

Saw Ron play in Boston last night. He performed a 95 minute set with songs from his superb catelog. His solo of "Strawberry Blond" was breathtakingly beautiful The new songs from "Retriever" were very well received. The album is full of beautiful melodies and very strong tunes. Some people have called it his best and they may be right. It is a bit more upbeat than "Cobblestone Runway". However, since all of his cds are beautifully crafted, the comparison may be meaningless.

"Retreiver" is new and fresh. No weak songs in the bunch. Each song is a standout and will grow on you with repeated listenings. Ron's voice grows stronger with each release. There is something beautiful in his phrasing and the playing on the cd enhances the songs. Nice production work. This one will stay on the cd player a long time.

Ron Sexsmith's "Retriever" should be on the shopping list for anyone who longs for great pop songs. This is an artist who remakably remains obscure. Hopefully that will change with this excellent work.

I listened to nothing else but this album for the first month I owned it. Now after a few weeks away from it, I played it again today. This album is amazing! From a musical craftsmanship standpoint he is very adept. In "Wishing Wells" he uses a measure of 2/4 here and there that reminds me of the Beatles and at least one Steely Dan song; It really works. Previously "Dandenion Wine" was not quite in the top tier for me but today it reminded me so much of my marriage and divorce. It rings so deeply and so true. He manages to teeter on that line that Joni Mitchell, at her best, does as well, between deep raw emotion and overly sentimental maudlin manipulation without falling into the latter.

The music landscape these days is littered with singers who can't sing, songwriters who can't write songs. Ron Sexsmith can sing, Ron Sexsmith can write songs very very well and has been doing so for a long time. So easy to say, so hard to find--but here it is. Retriever is a great album of many moods, poetic lyrics, and consistently strong melodies, there isn't a dud in the mix. I'm hoping he never goes big-time so we keep getting albums like this one.

I got interested in Ron Sexsmith because Michael Buble covered Sexsmith's song "Whatever It Takes" on Buble's "Crazy Love" CD. I also discovered Ron Sexsmith sings with Buble on it. I love that song, and I love Ron Sexsmith's singing on it, so I decided to check him out. I bought this CD because his version of "Whatever It Takes" is on it.

His version on this CD is much different. The one on Buble's CD is much more of a "slow, sexy salsa" type, and this one is kind of a "blue-eyed soul" thing. But I couldn't stop smiling the first time I heard it last night.

Ron Sexsmith's voice is kind of "quirky," but it's very original. And the man can WRITE a damn SONG! He has a marvelous way with lyrics, and he knows what instruments should go into a song. He's truly a craftsman.

I don't like all the songs on this, but I didn't expect to. I rarely like "all" the songs on any CD. "Hard Bargain" and "Wishing Wells" are great, as most of the rest of the CD is.

Overall, a good introduction to an artist who "should" NEED no "introduction." He "should" be more famous here (he's Canadian). In a time when crap passes for music, he's the real deal.