Ron Sexsmith

On the recent BBC songwriters’ TV programme, Ron Sexsmith introduced the first track from his new album by describing it as a “toe-tapper, a genre of music I’m trying to bring back.” Well he’s certainly achieved that with Long Player Late Bloomer, a collection of catchy songs, finding Sexsmith in a jollier mood than 2008’s Exit Strategy of the Soul.

The track he was referring to is Get in Line, which has echoes of The Travelling Wilburys, providing a jaunty opening to 13 instant tunes that only rarely fail to please. Of course instant isn’t always good, but here there is often extra depth too. Bob Rock (who’s worked with Metallica before) has been brought into produce and he brings a meatier sound to the likes of Middle of Love and the terrific single Believe It When I See It.

Sexsmith has an effortless voice with a gift for a tune, but his whimsical musings of life and love are still a well kept secret in Britain. However, Long Player, is an obvious attempt at broaden his appeal. The Reason Why, with its great couplet about “the rooms are full of empties, the wine attempts to tempt me”, could be another single, while No Help At All has a Carpenters style backing, without losing Sexsmith’s uniquely appealing phrasing.

There are twangs of country on Heavenly, splashes of lovely piano led rock on Michael and Dad and Love Shines as well as a bit of rockabilly on Eye Candy. This is the sound of a songwriter in confident mood.

Having written songs for the likes of Michael Buble on top of praise from Elvis Costello and Bob Dylan, Ron Sexsmith should be more widely known, and with Long Player he might well have provided the record to do it. As he says himself on the title track “I’m a late bloomer….my music is my saviour” and this album might just have saved him.