Cobblestone Runway
Ron Sexsmith · 2002
82 min · 24 tracks · folk music
Melodic folk-pop intertwines introspective lyrics with lush arrangements, creating an intimate soundscape that feels both personal and universal.
Top tracks — play these first
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These Days — This track encapsulates the album's reflective nature, blending heartfelt lyrics with a catchy melody that highlights Sexsmith's songwriting prowess.
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God Loves Everyone — With its poignant exploration of acceptance and love, this song resonates deeply within the context of contemporary social issues, showcasing Sexsmith's lyrical depth.
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Disappearing Act — This track stands out for its vivid storytelling and emotional weight, illustrating the complexities of human connections through its intricate melodies.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and lush arrangements, though its pacing and length could be tighter.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and arrangements.
- Several tracks utilize layered instrumentation, creating a rich sound that enhances the introspective lyrics.
- The album includes both upbeat songs and slower ballads, with transitions that maintain a cohesive emotional tone.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- introspective moments of reflection
- gentle waves of emotional storytelling
- heartfelt melodies for quiet evenings
- dynamic pacing for varied moods
- for leisurely afternoon listening
Maybe skip if you
- prefer high-energy, fast-paced tracks
- need instant gratification in music
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'Cobblestone Runway' was released in 2002, Ron Sexsmith had already established himself as a respected songwriter, following his self-titled debut in 1995 and subsequent albums. This release marked a significant moment in his career, as it showcased a maturation of his sound and gained him wider recognition, particularly in the UK where he had begun to build a strong fanbase.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Nick Drake· Sufjan Stevens· James Taylor
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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These Days
The verse shifts into a contemplative tone, reflecting on the passage of time and the bittersweet nature of memories.
This moment employs a shift from nostalgia to present reflection, highlighting the tension between longing for the past and accepting current realities.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Former Glory 2:53
- 2 These Days 3:20
- 3 Least That I Can Do 4:24
- 4 God Loves Everyone 3:07
- 5 Disappearing Act 3:38
- 6 For a Moment 3:02
- 7 Gold in Them Hills 3:32
- 8 Heart’s Desire 4:17
- 9 Dragonfly on Bay Street 3:21
- 10 The Less I Know 4:10
- 11 Up the Road 2:51
- 12 Best Friends 1:55
- 13 Gold in Them Hills (remix) 3:37
Disc 2
- 1 In This Love 4:00
- 2 Spending Money 3:46
- 3 Don’t Mind Losing 3:18
- 4 Tell You 2:48
- 5 Gonna Get What’s Mine 3:52
- 6 Speaking With the Angel 3:30
- 7 Every Word of It 3:30
- 8 Some People 3:34
- 9 Trains 3:39
- 10 Saving Her Love 3:18
- 11 The Laughing Crowd 2:49
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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