Ron Sexsmith has been one of most consistently brilliant songwriters since he emerged fully formed with his self-titled major-label release in 1995. Here with hard-rock producer Bob Rock keeping the sound tight and snappy, he sounds more powerful than ever before. The hooks come flying fast and furious and Sexsmith sounds completely in charge on the harmony-stacked power-pop rocker “The Reason Why.” Throughout the album, the arrangements coalesce into a powerful mix that gives Sexsmith a strong-armed backing band, with Josh Freese on drums and Travis Good of the Sadies on guitar. “Believe It When I See It” features a chilling organ-piano bed and a melody worthy of early-‘70s radio. “Miracles” is soft rock with an extra kick. “No Help At All” with electric piano and flute travels to a time when songcraft was highly celebrated. “Late Bloomer” rings like an Andrew Gold piano piece. “Heavenly,” in a crisp two and a half minutes, “Michael and His Dad” and “Everytime I Follow” are further proof of Sexsmith’s unrelenting songwriting prowess.