Ron Sexsmith

Item: Blue Boy
Author: Josh Hurst

Blue Boy

(2001)

Reviewed by Josh Hurst

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Label spinART RecordsThe Phantom Tollbooth2001

folk rock pop rock singer-songwriter

Ron Sexsmith doesn't care about musical trends or fads of the month. He pays little to no interest to how radio-friendly his songs are. Because of this, Ron Sexsmith is a true artist, whose music will last far longer than most current popstars. On his fourth major label album, Blue Boy, Sexsmith proves why he has such a large fanbase- including Elvis Costello and Paul McCartney- despite his failure to compromise his music in order to sell more records or land a #1 radio hit.

I have always felt that great music is synonymous with great songwriting, and Ron Sexsmith is definitely a talented songwriter. His lyrics are simple, yet there is a deep level of honesty within them. The songs on Blue Boy are very much like those on previous Sexsmith albums, as they are all simple observations and stories.

The lyrics of many of the songs on the album deal with love and relationships, but in a fresh, sincere way. Other songs offer witty commentary on the music industry ("This Song"), discuss doubt ("Tell Me Again"), and express Sexsmith's dislike of the lies that society tells us ("Not Too Big").

Blue Boy's producers, Steve Earle and Ray Kennedy, give the record a fun, soulful feel that could almost be mistaken for an "oldies" album instead of a modern one. The songs mostly feature guitar or piano, which are played by Sexsmith, and drums and bass, although a few songs also include small touches of horns.

Also worth noting is the album art, all of which was drawn by Ron Sexsmith himself, and portrays Ron and the other producers and musicians who worked on the album.

Blue Boy is not your typical Top 40 radio fare, although underneath the coffee shop atmosphere and occasional country tinge, the album really is a hooky, pop project. For those who want to look beyond the current "next big thing" and hear some intelligent, observant lyrics, however, Blue Boy is a must.

5 tocks