Maybe it has something to do with turning 40 a couple of years back. Or with the fact that this is his 10th release. Or that he's been at this music game for more than 20 years now.

Whatever the reason, the passing years are obviously weighing heavily on Ron Sexsmith's mind these days. So, on the very personal and pointedly titled Time Being, he does what a lot of guys in his position do -- he revisits his past.

In his case, that means reuniting with producer Mitchell Froom, who helmed his first three albums. But instead of trying to relive their halcyon days by remaking those discs, they approach these dozen tracks as older, wiser and mellower fellows.

Skipping over the loops and samples, Sexsmith and Froom take a more natural and relaxed approach. Relying on a small backing combo and mostly acoustic guitars, they craft strummy folk, swampy rock, lightly twangy root and McCartneyesque pop that anchors Ron's bittersweet melodies and throaty vocals.

He uses both to ponder the passage of time, the fleeting nature of life, the inevitability of death, the likelihood of reincarnation and the importance of savouring what you've got here and now. And what you've got here and now are another batch of his typically flawless tunes, carefully crafted and exquisitely produced, all in the name of examining mortality.

OK, maybe it's Ron's midlife crisis album. But it could be worse. At least he didn't buy a little red sports car and cheat on his wife.

Track Listing:

1. Hands Of Time
2. Snow Angel
3. All In Good Time
4. Never Give Up
5. I Think We're Lost
6. Reason For Our Love
7. Cold Hearted Wind
8. Jazz At The Bookstore
9. Ship Of Fools
10. The Grim Trucker
11. Some Dusty Things
12. And Now The Day Is Done