Ron Sexsmith Joins Forces With Metallica Producer Bob Rock

Ron Sexsmith, the Canadian singer-songwriter whose songs have been covered by everyone from Michael Bublé and Rod Stewart to Feist and Coldplay, has just completed his latest album with legendary Canadian producer Bob Rock.

Like many people familiar with Rock's extensive credits -- Metallica, Aeromith, Bon Jovi, the Cult, Our Lady Peace, the Tragically Hip, the Offspring -- Sexsmith was under the impression he only worked with heavy acts. He saw the 2004 Metallica documentary 'Some Kind of Monster,' about the making of 2003's 'St. Anger' with Rock, and says, "I always liked him."

Last year, the two happened to both be in Vancouver for the Juno Awards -- Rock was a presenter and Sexsmith's 'Exit Strategy of the Soul' was nominated in the adult alternative category -- and after the show Sexsmith found himself standing on a curb with Rock waiting for their car to take them to the same after-party.

"I remember he looked at me and I said, "Hey, know any good producers?' because at the time I was trying to think, 'Well, who can I work with that can help me make a record that people might actually hear for a change?'" Sexsmith tells Spinner.

At the party, Sexsmith ran into his friend Michael Bublé and asked him if he knew any producers who might be a good fit -- the pop crooner also suggested Rock. He had just produced some tracks for his new album, 'Crazy Love,' which happens to feature a cover of Sexsmith's 'Whatever It Takes.'

"Everything was pointing me in the direction of Bob Rock," says Sexsmith, "who at the time I thought only did hard rock albums. We met in L.A. for breakfast and realized we had quite a lot of common ground."

The still-untitled album was recorded mostly in L.A. and partially in Toronto and Vancouver. Rock mixed it in Hawaii, where he lives and owns a studio.

But the question remains: does it rock?

"To me, it does," says Sexsmith. "It just sounds like a Ron record but it's more polished. I've always tried to make records that reach out to people. But on my early albums I didn't sing very well and some of my later albums the production wasn't quite right or whatever, but I think I finally got it right.

"But I don't want to jinx it. I think we made a really nice record, but it doesn't sound like Motley Crüe," he laughs. "It's a little heavier -- the drums; it's not shy, basically. It's not indie or alt anything; it's a straight ahead pop-rock album."