M Ward
Post-War
Virgin/EMI

I don't know what I expected, I know it's cool to like M Ward, but somehow I just hadn't ever gotten around to hearing any. So when I saw 'Post-War' I jumped at the chance to grab and review such a darling of the uber-cool indie scene. I think I was expecting something a little more alt-country or folksy or depressing, like the comments I've read about his previous albums ('Transistor Radio', 'Transfiguration Of Vincent' and 'End Of Amnesia').

Instead, what I found was a delightful package of skilful songwriting that drew inspiration from all of the aforementioned genres but rose up to be so much more.

Ward produces some gorgeously delicate moments, like the title track where the minimalistic use of clean guitar and piano perfectly highlight his unique soft lilting voice. Next, Ward ups the power and distortion in the guitars and rips into a song that represents what the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion would have sounded like if they had evolved in the deep South in the '50s (Requiem).

Maybe it's the mood, maybe it's the melody, maybe it's his voice - but there is just something about 'Post-War' that feels familiar, yet new and exciting all at the same time; and it's great. To Go Home is full of energy, life and colour as the piano chords progress up and the drums thunder on, clearly demonstrating that, although M Ward may have started his career as a solo artist, this album is very much a 'band' record. Magic Trick is a fun piece of pop that sounds one part Beach Boys, one part TV jingle. Some might suggest that next to the deliberate depth of the other tracks, this song is light-weight and lacking, but for some of us it's very relatable.

'Post-War' is a clear picture of what a skilful artist M Ward is and what a vast array of colours can be found on his musical palate.

Scott Berry