Looks like Ron's finally coming out of his funk. After years as the poster boy for tortured artists and sensitive singer-songwriters everywhere, reluctant Ron has turned into rootsy Ron for his fifth full-length Blue Boy. Produced by no less an unlikely collaborator than Steve Earle, this 14-song offering eschews the orchestrated woodwinds and strings of 1999's Whereabouts for a loose, live and lighthearted approach. This Song gets things rolling to a jaunty swing beat, a twangy guitar and some peppy horns. That's just for starters -- other tracks find Sexsmith dipping his musical toe into the waters of funky blues-hop, Blue Rodeoish country-pop, fingerpicked guitar-folk and even ska. Whatever the style, Sexsmith's unsurpassed songwriting abilities remain undiminished. Every melody is instantly hummable, every lyric a perfect, touching little line of poetry -- even when he's singing about domestic violence, broken hearts and born losers. Yes, Ron's a still a blue boy at heart. At least now he knows how to have a little fun every now and then.

Track Listing 1. This Song
2. Cheap Hotel
3. Foolproof
4. Tell Me Again
5. Just My Heart Talkin'
6. Not Too Big
7. Miracle In Itself
8. Thirsty Love
9. Never Been Done
10. Thumbelina Farewell
11. Parable
12. Keep It In Mind
13. Fallen