M. Ward: Hold Time

Artist: M. Ward
Album: Hold Time
Date Released: February 17, 2009
Genre: indie rock
Rating: 7.8

Review: Tighter and more focused than much of his previous work, Hold Time showcases M. Ward at his compositional and stylistic best. Ward weaves and intertwines classic country and rock with West Coast folk to create a sound that is perplexingly fresh and familiar. Hold Time is a powerful statement from Ward as he establishes himself as one of the industry's strongest producers and arrangers.

Hold Time features appearances by Zooey Deschanel (who Ward recently collaborated with on She & Him) and Lucinda Williams who both add a new dynamism and dimension to Ward's work.

The tracks may not be as strong as on Post-war, but taken as a whole, this is one of M. Ward's strongest efforts to date.

Track highlights include: "Rave On,"Never Had Nobody Like You," and "To Save Me."