Matt Ward’s hooks belie his strong messages. While he sings in a mellow rough blue-eyed soul, his acoustic guitar acts as a percussion instrument at the same time. This time around the acoustic guitar’s dominance has certainly diminished in favor of it’s electric counterpart, but somehow the more intricate songs seem strangely similar. The upbeat electric numbers and the softer acoustic numbers often have a driving beat just the same. Ward’s comfort and proficiency has certainly grown on the electric instrument.
While my favorite M. Ward record is the heavily acoustic affair “End of Amnesia,†this record certainly opened me up to the electric side of ward. Tracks like “Fisher of Men†with the jazzy chords and the shuffling percussion show Ward at his most comfortable. He melds styles and whips out simple and effective guitar licks.
This album has its share of new voices and Lucinda Williams makes her presence felt. The Chet Atkins cover “Oh Lonesome Me” certainly has Ward’s mark on it. Each rhythmic guitar tap and gentle poignant vocal affords the song a spare emotional character. Williams sounds like she’s trying so hard to affect the soulish character. While Ward and the lap steel fit perfectly, Williams and the heavy strings sound a bit too earnest.
Each track has its own flavor, but Ward’s wheelhouse is certainly the simple layered acoustic. His voice truly shines in “Shangri-La.†Some subtle vocal affects and Wards easy feeling vocal lend the song a truly appealing song.
The record seems like a journey where Ward is between one thing and another. Each track less resolved than the previous. But the musicianship is still expert and the playing complements the lyrics. While She & Him got Ward tons of press, let’s hope he doesn’t quit his day job just yet.
About the author: Jeff is a teacher in the Boston area. When not buried correcting papers, Jeff can be found plucking various stringed instruments and listening to all types of americana music.