Looks like Ron's in one of his moods again.

After coming out of his funk and hooking up with producer Steve Earle for last year's comparatively rocking disc Blue Boy, rumpled Toronto troubadour Ron Sexsmith has gone back to being the poster boy for tortured artists and sensitive singer-songwriters on his moody sixth CD Cobblestone Runway. Which is not to suggest that Ron is backtracking or running on empty these days.

Indeed, Cobblestone Runway may be his strongest and most approachable album to date. Songs like Former Glory, Gold in Them Hills, Dragonfly on Baystreet and especially his post-9/11 plea for tolerance God Loves Everyone are among his finest efforts -- magnificent, soulfully lush pop gems that spin exquisite tales of bad luck, blown chances, wishful thinking and vanishing fortune.

Meanwhile, producer Martin Terefe's engaging sonic stylings -- which incorporate electronica textures without overpowering the songs' earthy naturalism -- manage to add a contemporary new dimension to Sexsmith's distinctive sound and world-weary voice.

Hell, one of the tracks even features a duet with Chris Martin of Coldplay. What more could Ron do to woo the masses? Nothing. And that's the trouble. No matter how much he does, Sexsmith just seems destined to go down in history as one the best songwriters most folks have never heard.

No wonder he's in a mood. (More on Ron Sexsmith)

Track Listing
1. Former Glory
2. These Days
3. Least That I Can Do
4. God Loves Everyone
5. Disappearing Act
6. For A Moment There
7. Gold In Them Hills
8. Heart's Desire
9. Dragon Fly On Bay Street
10. The Less I Know
11. Up The Road
12. Best Friends
13. Gold In Them Hills (Remix)