Long Player Late Bloomer
by Ron Sexsmith
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. AllMusic
    Mar 1, 2011
    80
    Sexsmith doesn't do anything on Long Player Late Bloomer that he hasn't done before, but this time out, he's had the right help in the studio to make an album that will sound as good to casual observers as his dedicated fans, and that's what sets this apart: if you've ever wanted to introduce yourself to the work of one of the finest songwriters in North America, Long Player Late Bloomer is just the album to get.
  2. PopMatters
    Mar 11, 2011
    60
    Some say great art comes from suffering. I'd like to think that wasn't necessarily true. But in Sexsmith's case, his music was much more interesting when he was unhappy.
  3. Uncut
    Mar 1, 2011
    60
    These are brilliant songs; but they simply reminds us of too many others who got there first. [Mar 2011, p.100]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Mojo
    Apr 6, 2011
    80
    Cherished Canuck crooner recruits Metallica's producer. [March 2011, p. 95]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Q Magazine
    May 2, 2011
    60
    There's nothing here to suggest either a problem with what he's doing--Heavenly is as heavenly as its title suggests; Middle of Love shows how friendly Sexsmith can be; and the jaunty-sounding Eye Candy is covertly acerbic as they come--or that things will turn around for him. [Apr 2011, p.109]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. The Guardian
    Mar 2, 2011
    80
    Sexsmith's music just gets better, and his 12th album actually sounds eerily close to a classic Costello.
  8. The A.V. Club
    Mar 1, 2011
    75
    Like the best of LPLB, it's a song that deserves every little extra production punch it can get, and Rock doesn't let it down.
  9. Entertainment Weekly
    Mar 8, 2011
    75
    This is immaculate pop appointed with sighing pedal steel, slide guitars, and saloon piano--but in need of a few more scuff marks to underline its turbulent lyrics.
  10. Slant Magazine
    Mar 7, 2011
    60
    On his previous albums, Sexsmith's choices of producers haven't always played to his strengths, but Rock's light hand makes Long Player Late Bloomer the best sounding record in Sexsmith's extensive catalogue.
  11. NOW Magazine
    Mar 1, 2011
    60
    To Rock's credit, his touches don't actually get in the way of the songs, and hopefully his tweaks are just what Sexsmith needs to garner the support he deserves.
  12. Austin Chronicle
    Mar 17, 2011
    50
    The master pop craftsman can still play it like Elliott Smith's hopeful counter, and when producer Bob Rock pulls the right sounds together, it's golden.
  13. BBC Music
    Mar 2, 2011
    60
    While the album's polished and pristine, it also feels dated and somewhat lacklustre, any true inspiration placed on hold. This is Elton Ron.
  14. American Songwriter
    Mar 1, 2011
    80
    Long Player, Late Bloomer is a record certainly worthy of being played for a long, long time to come.

User Reviews

All reviews »

There are no user reviews yet.