M. Ward

Add Date: February 17

Artist: M. Ward

Album: Hold Time

Label: Merge

Genre: Folk rock, alt-country

Comments: M. Ward was introduced to a much broader spectrum of music fans by collaborating with Zooey Deschanel in the duo She & Him, but he's been putting out great music of his own for years now. Hold Time is the followup to the excellent 2006 issue Post-War, and it's full of more brilliant, country-infused rock tunes. Will appeal to fans of Ryan Adams, Devendra Banhart (not to mention the new record from his friends in Vetiver), and the like. There's not really a weak track on this album--all the more impressive because it's a 14-song effort--but in particular I liked "For Beginners," "Stars of Leo," "Never Had Nobody Like You" and "Fisher of Men." One of the best releases thus far in 2009.