Touted as one of the strongest songwriters in the past few years by none other than songwriter chief Elvis Costello, Canadian born and bred Ron Sexsmith outdoes himself for his second album. Produced by Mitchell Froom, who adds soothing touches of organ and reverb, Other Songs is a mesmerizing collection of 14 little songs (most last just two to barely three minutes) that appear like mist and quickly disappear. Sexsmith's voice is a marvel, recalling Tim Hardin's airy croon wrapping itself around deceptively simple lyrics. "Strawberry Blonde" is a brilliant short story worthy of the Kinks' Ray Davies, while "Clown in Broad Daylight" and "Average Joe" benefit from a carnivalesque production. --Rob O'Connor