M. Ward at the Phoenix; Monday April 27, 2009

M. Ward at the Phoenix; Monday April 27, 2009

I have always though M. Ward’s music has a classic feel to it. I wasn’t sure what made it sound that way, but seeing just him live really shed new light on him. All of M. Ward’s music sounds relatively similar. I could throw on something from ‘the Transfiguration of Vincent’ which was released in 2003 and ‘the Hold Time’ which was released this year, and you wouldn’t even know the difference. It’s that consistency that earns my high regard. With that said it should be acknowledged that M. Ward’s music is consistently good. His lyrics are sweet, like an old Beatles album is, M. Ward effortlessly achieves the innocence that so many bands try to pull off. He played pretty much the new album in its entirety, I think very highly of this album so I really didn’t have a problem with that. The tunes are lively and upbeat for the most part, which stretches it apart from the older albums a bit more. This album moves with more vigour and spirit. The other albums sort of lagged a bit at times. M. Ward managed to catch his breath mid way through the set, he played three or four slower tunes with and without the band. I really liked his live rendition of “Oh Lonesome Me,” which recorded features guest vocals from Lucinda Williams. It’s a sweet song about hanging out at home than going out. I really don’t like the album version, it’s slow and I don’t think his voice goes particularly well with Williams’. Live this song had a lot of heart, M. Ward played it with his guitarist, just him singing. He even played the song “Hold Time” which is quite possibly the slowest song, it felt particularly drowned out because you could really hear the synthesizer live. Two things saved that song, first M. Ward’s piano playing and secondly that it’s so short. He played the song “Fuel for Fire” off of the album ‘Transistor Radio’. I was really happy to hear that live. He also played “Magic Trick” and ended the show with the Daniel Johnson cover “To Go Home”. I was incredibly surprised when he played two encores. I read somewhere that M. Ward was a super introverted person, I just assumed that from seeing him live with Zooey Deschanel as She & Him. He barely made a sound, tucked to the far left of the stage. This show he front centre, without a beautiful girl to divert the attention. M. Ward had a great sound live and not for very long did I feel as though he was bailing from the crowds attention. He wasn’t much of a talker to the crowd but he was appreciative. One thing is clear is he is quite the guitar player. I’m going to make bold and say he is first a guitar player then a singer, although his voice is immaculate, live and recorded. M. Ward played a handful of covers, most predictable being Buddy Holly made hit “Rave On!” which he plucked off of his latest release. For his last song he played “Roll Over Beethoven” but before playing it he pointed at the disco ball and asked for them to make it light up. He described it as “that big ball”, they didn’t understand him initially because of his drawl. At the beginning of the set he played a John Fahey cover which I’m going to assume was the tune “Bean Vine Blues #2”. I just found out “Oh Lonesome Me” is also a cover, who knew!M. Ward’s albums are all about detail, he produces most of his albums, definitely the later ones. His shows are no exception, well put on, well thought through and a great sound. He apparently prefers to stay home instead of touring, he doesn’t do it too often!

May 2, 2009