Sunday, September 21, 2008
A+E, Music, Reviews

RON SEXSMITH

“EXIT STRATEGY OF THE SOUL” (YEP ROC)

 The search for the perfect Sunday morning album is over—it’s right here, in Sexsmith’s ninth release.
 
It’s tempting to consider this album the Canadian singer-songwriter’s finest work, but that discounts his other projects for a variety of indie and major labels over the past 17 years. They all share the finely crafted melodies, emotionally sincere lyrics and gossamer vocals of this one.
  Instead of thumbing through the paper or searching the Web for the latest depressing news on the week’s laziest day, pick up the lyric book included with this release and delve into love songs so tender and real they practically melt off the page. “I feel you move in every sunrise/ In the trembling of the leaves/ This is how I know you’re near to me”—try tenderly whispering these lines to your significant other and watch the sparks fly.
 
Credit also goes to Sexsmith’s longtime producer Martin Terefe (KT Tunstall, Jason Mraz), for traveling to Cuba to overdub horns on a handful of tracks. That adds the perfect touch of spice and soul to these tunes, upping the energy and R&B feel without sacrificing their inherent allure. Backing female vocals and strings also enhance the sound, but never slip into overly sappy backing.
 
The poppy collaboration with countrywoman Feist on “Brandy Alexander” is an obvious emphasis track, but it’s just the tip of a lovely, glistening iceberg of a disc that envelopes the listener like the smell of bacon and eggs.

 Sunday mornings will never be the same. 3 STARS—Hal Horowitz