Retriever
by Ron Sexsmith
  • Record Label: Nettwerk
  • Release Date: Apr 6, 2004
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. AllMusic
    80
    If you know Sexsmith's work, then you already have a good idea of how good this album is, and if you don't, this is a fine place to get acquainted.
  2. Austin Chronicle
    78
    Paired with his ever-fertile tunesmithery, ether-plucked choruses, and airwave melodies, singer and song beget a pop ball worth fetching again and again on Retriever.
  3. Billboard
    90
    [A] very wonderful, very adult set.
  5. Blender
    80
    The genius of Sexsmith’s seventh and best work is the way he surrounds (or, depending on your perspective, atones for) the empathy overload with deftly assimilated, gloriously ascendant pop hookcraft.
  6. E! Online
    100
    Sexsmith's best album yet.
  7. Mojo
    80
    It is a pleasure to report that nothing has changed. [Jun 2004, p.108]
    All this publication's reviews
  8. Pitchfork
    73
    The same indefatigable hopefulness that sets Sexsmith apart also makes Retriever a bit tiresome.
  9. PopMatters
    80
    It contains all the things that you, no doubt, love about Sexsmith already: A sort of wistful but reassuring melancholy, beautifully simple arrangements, strong lyricism, and Sexsmith's trademark Kermit-like vocals.
  10. Rolling Stone
    70
    Sexsmith has always known how to deliver a gentle melody, but his work has a new gravity on Retriever; it adds up to his best album yet.
  11. ShakingThrough.net
    66
    Sexsmith isn't pushing the musical envelope as intensely as he has on past efforts, and while his songwriting is as delicate and graceful as ever, there's simply nothing here that he hasn't done better or with more flair elsewhere.
  12. The A.V. Club
    90
    While Sexsmith's music once seemed both too precise and too remote, on Retriever, he brings a subtle urgency to a set of songs that could double as proverbs.
    All this publication's reviews
  13. The New York Times
    70
    Chiming 1960's folk-rock and Beatles-tinged melodies can't quite pull Ron Sexsmith out of the moderate despair that suffuses his songs.
  14. Uncut
    80
    A rare treasure indeed. [Aug 2004, p.101]
    All this publication's reviews

Awards & Rankings

86
#86 Best Album of 2004

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 11
  3. Negative: 1 out of 11
  1. matta
    Jul 13, 2005
    10
    Ron Sexsmith is a musical genius and this very well could be his best album yet. Twelve totally flawless, beautiful gems. The best album of the year.
  2. kikthae
    Dec 13, 2004
    10
    Genius Songsmith. Retriever is exceptional. Ron is at the top of his game, and that is saying something for a guy who rarely dips below inspiring.
  3. JulioC
    May 2, 2004
    9
    Ron Sexsmith never fails! Good example of good melodies.
See all user reviews »