Matt Ward, better known as M.Ward, is a familiar face to the alternative folk scene, and with the release of his new record, Hold Time, he has returned triumphant. In his seventh album M. Ward continues to mix folk, country, blues and rock into a genre all his own. In this release he adds a bit more pop-rock and an introspective, melancholy tone, which, unless heard, is hard to imagine. Hold Time has an engaging mix of new songs and covers, ranging from Buddy Holly to Frank Sinatra. As usual, these are so well-fitted to Ward's style that it becomes difficult to guess what is his own and what is covered. With Ward's poetic manner, his music encourages the listener to discover his influences, as he pays homage in his songs to everyone from Pink Floyd to the Beach Boys.
The image of the singing troubadour is a good one for Ward, and For Beginners"" sets the tone of the album off with an upbeat, Dylan-esque feel. The second song, ""Never Had Nobody Like You,"" shows a more poppy side of Ward, with lines like, ""Life's just like A, B, C / Life's just like one, two, three."" Despite the simplicity, you'll be humming along before the song is over. ""Hold Time,"" the album's title track, is the most relaxing of the bunch. Sleepy and introspective, it suspends the listener in a stopped time of their own. The uptempo, country-blues song ""Fisher of Men"" showcases Ward's honey-rich voice in a Johnny Cash-like tune that will have the listener toe-tapping in time.
M. Ward is known from his previous work for his mellow blues voice, and does not disappoint in this album, but the standout part of this record has to be the instrumental quality. From the orchestral-backed ""For Beginners"" to the completely winning instrumental ""Outro,"" each song has its own distinct musical quality that remains all Ward's own. Ward has upped his game in the music department from his previous albums, and it shows.
Hold Time includes notable backup vocals from Zooey Deschanel, the female collaborative half of Ward's two-person band She and Him, and the folk singer Lucinda Williams. Although Deschanel's voice mixes well with Ward's, just as it did on their previous release together, Williams is something of a letdown in ""Oh Lonesome Me."" Her pack-a-day blues sound doesn't mesh at all with Ward's lighter blues feel.
Despite this misstep, Ward has made a good album. With a mix of a little country, a little rock-pop, and a lot of soul, this album will have listeners humming along days after their first listen, which can't be a bad thing.
