M. Ward puts the tease in ’60s. The mastery of melody on Merge Records could glance at a box of Franzia and turn it into a ’47 Cheval Blanc. And somehow, some way, his work is continuously fresh and fitting in 2012. How does he do it? The man is already on his seventh studio album and it sounds better than ever. He calls the latest 12-song gem A Wasteland Companion.
The album is good. Scratch that, it’s perfect. It possesses what we in America call “chill vibes” and what those in UK call “the bees knees.” On one end, M. Ward presents “Primitive Girl” with charismatic flow. It’s the kind of song that, without hesitation, just works out from beginning to end. Then, to flaunt his style, Ward orchestrates an uppity piano rhythm that gets your flip-flops flopping, your pantyhose housing, and your poodle canoodling.
Before I get off my rocker, let me present another diamond. “Sweetheart” is a diamond that was born shiny, born sharp, and actually born with American lo-fi singer-songwriter Daniel Johnston in 1983. Ward covers it with She & Him partner Zooey Deschanel. You might have heard of her… if not, well, you should crawl out of your cave. When the song builds up to a fancy, groovy peak, she’s alongside Ward in the background. Deschanel’s dreamy self then takes over, initiating a back-and-forth conversation that gives us Earth-people hope for that kind of love.
Well, damn. This album is so packed with greatness that I am taking away from your precious time with it. Go, go, go!