M Ward - Transistor Radio

Genre rock Publisher Merge Records External Links Merge Records

I'm envious of those who will come to discover Ward through his latest accomplishment, Transistor Radio. Then again, it doesn't matter when or where the journey begins. Once captivated by Portland's beloved folk artist, most fans find themselves searching through privately owned record stores for his earlier LPs like red-knuckled archeologists digging for precious fossils. Of course to unearth Ward is to observe the witty and humble artist conduct his own excavation into America's past and to bring you along as his close companion.

If time is a vast canyon, then no matter where you're standing, Transistor Radio echoes an old-fashioned vibe cloaked in romance. Several production techniques are used to employ this style. For instance, references to vinyl records, steamboats and trains as opposed to CDs, fast cars and tour buses might make you blink momentarily but the fundamental anecdotes are all the same. (And let's face it any kind of contemporary allusions would just be downright anachronistic for Ward). So, to further reinforce the antique vibe, "One Life Away" mimics the sound quality of a dusty, watermarked 78. But he doesn't get stuck there. Beyond sounds from the early 20th century, the humorous "Big Boat" is orchestrated to resemble vintage rock from the early 50s. Later, a drowned out, heavy reverb is laid down beneath tremulous lead vocals to generate an optical illusion of slow motion "Sweethearts on Parade" drenched in sepia hues. Timeless.

Originally recorded by C. Lombardo and C. Newman, "Sweethearts on Parade" is one of four covers featured on Transistor Radio. Ward's renditions might just highlight a personality trait that separates this artist from most musicians. Perhaps like a squid that strategically disperses a cloud of inky solution to create distraction, Ward raises the awareness of legendary, obscure influences to divert attention from his own increasing popularity. Once an opener for My Morning Jacket and guest guitarist for Bright Eyes, Ward is now touring with a full band, selling out venues across the country and internationally. The audience, some decorated in M Ward t-shirts, beg for autographs and post unsolicited live reviews the very next morning.

Yet despite the accolades, Transistor Radio refuses to play to critics or the masses and instead remains a highly intimate album and best experienced when headphones are securely fastened over the dark tunnels of your ears. Contributing to this closeness is Ward's quality musicianship. The mind becomes involuntarily titillated by the sound of the slowly eroding ridges of Ward's fingertips as they generate friction against the metal helix of taut guitar strings. Then, what sounds like a standard stereo recording on "I'll Be Yr Bird" is actually the skillful synchronization of separate whispery, vocal performances by Ward as if the listener has been blessed with two birds; one to tickle each lobe. Couple this auditory experience with the emotional proximity of lyrics like "I'll hide your locket under the dirt, I'll be your bird" and if it's not Ward's voice you hear quaking, surely it's the sound of your own heart.

At the end of the day, a good album resonates with each listener's understanding of what is believed to be true. Therefore, if you don't already possess a fondness for nostalgia or feel drawn to learn from the spirit and wisdom of the past, Transistor Radio will likely fall on deaf ears and its sound waves will get intercepted by a paralyzed satellite. But if you do share Ward's appreciation, your dig will have been a successful one. Take the bones from this album and begin assembling it together to grasp his larger body of work. It's truly a masterpiece.