Hold Time
M. Ward
Score:43
Reviewer: Justin Pearsall
Label: Merge Records (USA), 4AD (UK), Spunk (Australia)
Reviewed: Mar 5th '09, Released:2009
10 years on from debut album Duet for Guitars #2, M. Ward has come full circle in terms of popular perception. From little known folk traditionalist, to guest vocalist and support artist of choice, to being a name in his own right, each passing year has seen Ward’s profile rise. With this in mind it’s disappointing to report that his latest record, Hold Time, is a definite step backwards artistically.
Once a perennial guest vocalist, M. Ward draws in performers including She & Him cohort Zooey Deschanel, Grandaddy’s Jason Lytle and Lucinda Williams to contribute to Hold Time. While these supporting players may add weight on paper, in performance they contribute to the patchy nature of the album. Deschanel’s contribution to ‘Rave On’, a cover of the Buddy Holly classic, is a highlight, adding to the lazy feel of the song. But her harmonies in ‘Never Had Nobody Like You’ cannot rid the track of its saccharine sentimentality. Similarly, Lucinda Williams is underutilised in her predictable ballad-support role.
At other points on the album Ward almost seems to be mimicking his Post War efforts. ‘Stars of Leo’ is reminiscent of Post War’s ‘To Go Home’ but fails to match that track’s rollicking vibe. That there’s nothing as immediate or as dark as ‘Right in The Head’ is disappointing and reflective of Ward’s inability to effectively pair his more rockabilly and folk sides on this record. This duality is sorely missed on Hold Time.
The album’s strongest moment is the closer ‘Outro – I’m a Fool to Want You’. Ward delivers an old jazz standard in the form of an emotive guitar instrumental. Sadly, this one of the few surprises on Hold Time.
Be it because of raised expectations or not, Hold Time ends a trio of great albums for M Ward. Over 2003’s Transfiguration of Vincent, 2005’s Transistor Radio and 2006’s Post War, Ward defined himself by existing slightly outside of folk traditions, adapting enough to invigorate what were essentially simple songs with just the right amount of orchestration and emotion. With Ward’s sixth album he has got this balance wrong. While there are some great songs within it, Hold Time is overly sugary and too patchy to live up to the standards we’ve come to expect.
