OPO: Ron Sexsmith album

He sure seems better at songwriting than Coldplay, while essentially in the same style.

What's the consensus on Retriever, then?

I just pulled out Whereabouts after several years -- really strong album. His voice can wear a bit, but the strength of his songs and melodies outweighs it by a mile. Big ups to "Seem to Recall" and "Feel For You."

I seem to recall he did a record where the drums were really bizarrely recorded. I thought it was Blue Boy, but that's a straight-up Earle production, it sounds like. And the record after is his wacky synth record. Anyone know what I'm talking about?

Saw the documentary about him / his latest album produced by Bob Rock last night. Never listened to him even though I've been aware of him for about 16 years. Such awesome, effortless melodies. Really impressed.

Where should I start with this guy?

It's kind of like the Star Trek movie rule. The even numbered ones tend to be better. Not counting the very first self-released album, check out Other Songs, Blue Boy, Retriever, Time Being and Long Player Late Bloomer (the newest one).

Heard (and listened to many times) a song of his off a compilation I got with Uncut (I think) several years ago. "Gold in Them Hills", I think it was called. Really great, and yet never bothered to check out any of his other stuff. Had the oddest feeling that even though I really loved that song, the rest of his stuff would have the potential to be absolutely awful.

That's Uncut for ya

i'd start w/ blue boy

Could only find the new one in Exeter - http://sickmouthy.com/2011/03/06/where-have-you-been-ron-sexsmith/

Someone sent me the self titled album completely out of the blue. I'd never heard a note of his before and I completely adored it. Its so nice when you discover an artist like in a bolt from the blue like that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUDUCcOPFE0

Man do I love his Froom albums. In fact, I didn't really know the two reunited more recently, and no surprise "Time Being" (2006) and "Forever Endeavor" (2013) are about as good as the first three. What a great way with melody.

He's kind of the archetypal WFUV artist for me -- objectively excellent as a singer, songwriter, musician, enjoy listening to him but don't find him extremely compelling.

I think it's something about earnest romanticism in an "adult" format

There's something to that. Like, he's not witty, or incisive, or political, just ... earnestly romantic. I wonder what it says that there is no place for that, or I (or you) (or most people) seem to have no place for that?

IDK, it neither fits my life nor takes me far enough from it to serve as an appealing fantasy, I guess?

Like it sort of just puts me in the mind of being a single 30-something and hanging out in Starbucks a lot

I don't think of it in Starbucks or NPR terms, because he seems so under the radar that I'd never imagine hearing him in either of those places. Maybe a book store?

xpost Yeah, I'm trying to think of a good analog for that, because for sure, it is objectively all of the things you say it is. Maybe for me his earnest romanticism, the fact that he/it exists at all, is appealing fantasy enough for me. Like, yeah, a good book that may not have anything new or exciting to say, but is still well-crafted and entertaining.

http://www.npr.org/artists/14961563/ron-sexsmith

http://rateyourmusic.com/release/comp/various_artists_f2/a_story_to_tell__starbucks_presents_powerful_songs_from_the_coffeehouse/

One song from his first album on some Starbucks comp does not a Starbucks bro make, but man, I wish my NPR station (which I don't think ever plays music?) played music.

Huh, looking again at that Starbucks comp, weird that he is one of the only few (or just only?) contemporary acts, in the company of Joan Baez, Fred Neil, Tim Hardin, etc.