{"title":"M. Ward","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eM. Ward\u003c\/strong\u003e is a Portland-based singer-songwriter whose music seems to occupy a place that is uniquely “out of time,” a place that bridges the gaps between the roots of various American musical traditions of folk, country, blues, and rock. Ward spins timeless classics that seem to flow effortlessly—simple yet eloquent tales alive with metaphor and imagery told in a raspy, sepia-toned croon. \u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"m-ward-duet-for-guitars-2-reissue","title":"M. Ward - Duet for Guitars #2 (Reissue)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is \u003cstrong\u003eM. Ward's\u003c\/strong\u003e first record, originally released by Co-Dependent Records in 1999, then re-released in 2000 by M.'s friend Howe Gelb (Giant Sand) on his Ow Om label. It has been out of print ever since. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"merge records","offers":[{"title":"Peak Vinyl (Opaque Beige)","offer_id":52941998817591,"sku":"MRG301lp-C1","price":27.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"LP (Black)","offer_id":52739156771127,"sku":"MRG301LP","price":23.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":52739156705591,"sku":"MRG301CD","price":14.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Download","offer_id":52739156738359,"sku":"MRG301digital","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0966\/3935\/3143\/files\/670bffdfd1b23493459aecd44ea2cbdfd204eb67_97291fbc075a2ea7061060508bfbb8d7961da092_medium_jpg.jpg?v=1789600266"},{"product_id":"m-ward-transfiguration-of-vincent-reissue","title":"M. Ward - Transfiguration of Vincent (Reissue)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eTransfiguration of Vincent\u003c\/i\u003e is the third solo album from \u003cstrong\u003eM. Ward\u003c\/strong\u003e. In composition and style, his music has been compared to such luminaries as Tom Waits, Grandaddy, Sparklehorse, and Howe Gelb. Ward's seemingly effortless fingerpicking guitar conjures the elegance of the late John Fahey.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"merge records","offers":[{"title":"LP (Black)","offer_id":52739158638903,"sku":"MRG223LP","price":24.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":52739158573367,"sku":"MRG223cd","price":14.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Download","offer_id":52739158606135,"sku":"MRG223digital","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0966\/3935\/3143\/files\/778466e2fb64ce61afbd01e0fb661c9aab5228a3_a274812330ddb1fb836b7b2d9e6bfa05a458bf1c_medium_jpg_5ed00b11-1f01-4407-ba05-86e0722fd0af.jpg?v=1789600272"},{"product_id":"m-ward-a-wasteland-companion","title":"M. Ward - A Wasteland Companion","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConsisting of 12 stunning tracks, \u003cem\u003eA Wasteland Companion \u003c\/em\u003ewas made with 18 musicians and recorded in eight different studios in Portland, Omaha, New York City, Los Angeles, Austin and Bristol (UK). Ward’s honey-soaked vocals, deft finger-picking, innate sense of melody and beguiling lyrics have already cemented his reputation as one of America’s true musical treasures and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eA Wasteland Companion\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e features some of the finest songwriting and most striking delivery of his career. With each and every recording Ward finds new ways to make the colors of his songwriting palate sparkle and his dexterous skills as producer, arranger, guitarist and singer seem to burst into even brighter bloom on each release. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eA Wasteland Companion\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e features the talents of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/m-ward\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eM. Ward\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e (piano, guitars, voice, production), Mike Coykendall (percussion, bass), Giant Sand’s Howe Gelb (piano), John Parish (percussion, marimba), Bright Eyes’ Mike Mogis (organ), Susan Sanchez (vocals), She \u0026amp; Him’s Zooey Deschanel (vocals), Jordan Hudson (percussion), Adam Selzer (bass), Nathan “JR” Andersen (piano), Scott McPherson (percussion), Sonic Youth’s Steve Shelley (percussion), Dr Dog’s Tobey Leaman (bass), Devotchka’s Tom Hagerman (strings), Oakely Hall’s Rachel Cox (vocals), Amanda Lawrence (violin), John Graboff (pedal steel) and Tyler Tornfelt (bass). The recording utilized eight engineers, including Tom Schick (Rufus Wainwright) and John Parish (PJ Harvey).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"merge records","offers":[{"title":"LP (Black)","offer_id":52739160113463,"sku":"MRG433LP","price":21.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Signed LP","offer_id":52739160178999,"sku":"MRG433LP","price":30.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":52739160080695,"sku":"MRG433CD","price":14.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Download","offer_id":52739160146231,"sku":"MRG433digital","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0966\/3935\/3143\/files\/46c94cbd0e46a142663244b39678c9e124d3ad74_6a01387d762ed958bdd389f8f15d73b8ceee2c40_medium_jpg.jpg?v=1785380111"},{"product_id":"m-ward-to-go-home","title":"M. Ward - To Go Home","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe first single from his masterpiece, \u003ci\u003ePost-War\u003c\/i\u003e, is an instant pop classic written by the inimitable Daniel Johnston. Features three non-album tracks, including the epic Jimmie Dale Gilmore penned \"Headed For A Fall\", and featuring special guests Neko Case, Nels Cline, Howe Gelb, Mike Mogis, and Jim James.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"merge records","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":52739160277303,"sku":"MRG288cd","price":6.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Download","offer_id":52739160310071,"sku":"MRG288digital","price":3.96,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0966\/3935\/3143\/files\/1bc7dc53c2186f88c00a1ba1e8479d33054d0efc_fce6e74cadc091161ad9e56683a8043b929f3d68_medium_jpg.jpg?v=1785380114"},{"product_id":"m-ward-hold-time","title":"M. Ward - Hold Time","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eHold Time \u003c\/i\u003eis \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/m-ward\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eM. Ward\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e's amazing follow-up to 2006's brilliant \u003ca href=\"\/products\/m-ward-post-war\"\u003e\u003ci\u003ePost-War\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e (and 2008's critically acclaimed collaboration with Zooey Deschanel, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/she-him-volume-one\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eVolume One\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e by \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/she-him\"\u003eShe \u0026amp; Him\u003c\/a\u003e).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvailable on CD and LP,\u003ci\u003e Hold Time\u003c\/i\u003e is an eloquent and startlingly beautiful album. While past critics have compared him to everyone from John Fahey to Tom Waits to his old friend Howe Gelb, with \u003ci\u003eHold Time\u003c\/i\u003e it's clear that M. Ward, with his brilliant guitar playing and innate sense of melody, is one of those rare and special talents who defy comparisons and compartmentalization.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"merge records","offers":[{"title":"LP (Black)","offer_id":52739163947319,"sku":"MRG323LP","price":24.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":52996573298999,"sku":"MRG323CD","price":14.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Download","offer_id":52739163980087,"sku":"MRG323digital","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0966\/3935\/3143\/files\/07fad9780c2d51deb9a1f762eed1e349e691a19f_f1568839ae4c63f947c54cd7235f299598d33e9f_medium_jpg_638eea3c-977c-468d-a30a-910e4a97bdf8.jpg?v=1789587499"},{"product_id":"m-ward-post-war","title":"M. Ward - Post-War","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe fifth \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/m-ward\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eM. Ward\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e album. Its songs unravel their world-wearied tales of life, love, and human kindness with an innate and special grace, helped in part by the very talented friends who join him on this record, such as Neko Case and Mike Mogis, as well as old Monsters of Folk touring buddy Jim James (My Morning Jacket).\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"merge records","offers":[{"title":"Peak Vinyl (Green Splatter)","offer_id":52739164242231,"sku":"MRG280LP-C1","price":27.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"LP (Black)","offer_id":52739164111159,"sku":"MRG280LP","price":24.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":52739164143927,"sku":"MRG280CD","price":14.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Download","offer_id":52739164176695,"sku":"MRG280digital","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0966\/3935\/3143\/files\/f0c0263e4b0d6b1f6bbf37cc1761a505826eda96_3b03dd5acb9ead7550bd024e7a2f86cf1acbfe48_medium_jpg.jpg?v=1785380206"},{"product_id":"m-ward-primitive-girl-b-w-the-twist-roll-over-beethoven","title":"M. Ward - \"Primitive Girl\" b\/w \"The Twist\" \u0026 \"Roll Over Beethoven\"","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe first single from \u003cstrong\u003eM. Ward\u003c\/strong\u003e's excellent \u003cem\u003eA Wasteland Companion\u003c\/em\u003e, \"Primitive Girl\" is backed with \"The Twist\" (an M. Ward original) and a cover of Chuck Berry's classic \"Roll Over Beethoven.\"\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"merge records","offers":[{"title":"Download","offer_id":52739181117751,"sku":"MRG448digital","price":2.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0966\/3935\/3143\/files\/580a86345fdae56d3977a158bef90b0b0831b9e3_21bde07578a96cc8450c0d8afaea7dd83f6cd7f5_medium_jpg.jpg?v=1785380727"},{"product_id":"m-ward-transistor-radio-reissue","title":"M. Ward - Transistor Radio (Reissue)","description":"\u003cp\u003eMerge's reissue of \u003cstrong\u003eM. Ward\u003c\/strong\u003e’s 2005 album \u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransistor Radio.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e The LP pressing includes a CD containing four previously unreleased recordings.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWe asked music writer Jud Cost to revisit \u003ci\u003eTransistor Radio\u003c\/i\u003e for this reissue, and this is what he wrote:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin-left:40px;\"\u003eIf you totally lost it when you first heard the masterful CD version of the opening track, a lump-in-the-throat instrumental reworking of Brian Wilson’s \u003ci\u003ePet Sounds \u003c\/i\u003egem “You Still Believe in Me,” wait until you feel the sun scorch your face from the ultra-warm PVC treatment. Better keep some Coppertone handy.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin-left:40px;\"\u003eOn the other hand, “Fuel for Fire” has enough country heartbreak it should have been covered by George Jones. And then there’s “Four Hours in Washington,” the insomniac’s nightmare, opening with a groan of \u003ci\u003eTwin Peaks\u003c\/i\u003e-like guitar chords before the tale unravels thusly: “Well, it’s one in the morning and I can’t sleep at night \/ I hear wolves around the doorstep, they’re circling outside \/ I count ’em jumping over fences and landing on the sheets \/ Now it’s two in the morning and I can’t fall asleep.” If you’ve been itching to drop your tonearm onto one of \u003ci\u003eTransistor Radio\u003c\/i\u003e’s 16 jackpot tracks, here’s your chance, hi-fi worshipper.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTracklist of bonus CD included with LP:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJust the Other Side of Nowhere (Kris Kristofferson cover)\u003cbr\u003e      featuring Jim James (vocal, guitar)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLullaby + Exile (live)\u003cbr\u003e      featuring Norah Jones  (vocal)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHere Comes the Sun Again (four-track)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePaul’s Song (instrumental)\u003cbr\u003e      featuring Paul Brainard (pedal steel)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e","brand":"merge records","offers":[{"title":"Peak Vinyl (Brown \/ Gold Splatter)","offer_id":52739189866807,"sku":"MRG260LP-C1","price":27.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"LP (Black)","offer_id":52739189768503,"sku":"MRG260LP","price":24.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":52739189834039,"sku":"MRG260CD","price":15.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Download","offer_id":52739189801271,"sku":"MRG260digital","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0966\/3935\/3143\/files\/a16acc2543ee3e4e4551c8a0dba7b69a76879c6b_cff50fd5f415ef33adeaa2d7399bdb4ab0fff79c_medium_jpg.jpg?v=1785381000"},{"product_id":"m-ward-more-rain","title":"M. Ward - More Rain","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/m-ward\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eM. Ward\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e returns with a stunning new album, \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eMore Rain.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e Ward has released a string of acclaimed solo albums over the past several years, along with five LPs with Zooey Deschanel as \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/she-him\"\u003eShe \u0026amp; Him\u003c\/a\u003e and a 2009 collaborative album with My Morning Jacket’s Jim James and Bright Eyes’ Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis under the moniker Monsters of Folk. In addition to his celebrated work as a musician, Ward is an accomplished producer, handling those duties for such luminaries as Mavis Staples, Jenny Lewis, and Carlos Forster as well as his own musical projects.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e This album, Ward’s eighth solo affair, finds the artist picking up the tempo and volume a bit from his previous release, 2012’s \u003ca href=\"\/products\/m-ward-a-wasteland-companion\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eA Wasteland Companion\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e. Where that record introspectively looked in from the outside, \u003ci\u003eMore Rain\u003c\/i\u003e finds Ward on the inside, gazing out. Begun four years ago and imagined initially as a DIY doo-wop album that would feature Ward experimenting with layering his own voice, it soon branched out in different directions, a move that he credits largely to his collaborators here who include R.E.M.’s Peter Buck, Neko Case, k.d. lang, The Secret Sisters, and Joey Spampinato of NRBQ. The result is a collection of upbeat, sonically ambitious yet canonically familiar songs that both propel Ward’s reach and satisfy longtime fans.\u003cbr\u003e \u003ci\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “I think one of the biggest mysteries of America right now is this: How are we able to process unending bad news on Page One and then go about our lives the way the style section portrays us?” says Ward. “There must be a place in our brains that allows us to take a bird’s-eye view of humanity, and I think music is good at helping people—myself included—go to that place.”\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont style=\"color: red; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;\" color=\"red\"\u003eLimited-edition translucent red vinyl available while supplies last. \u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont style=\"color: red; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;\" color=\"red\"\u003eLP includes a coupon for a full download.\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"merge records","offers":[{"title":"LP (Translucent Red)","offer_id":52739205693751,"sku":"MRG533LP","price":21.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":52739205660983,"sku":"MRG533CD","price":14.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Download","offer_id":52739205628215,"sku":"MRG533digital","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0966\/3935\/3143\/files\/bfbade6857dd285153f8ce8958d57ad040715a5a_bd3e84fd645822e8abec6c779746eda839463112_medium_jpg.jpg?v=1785381110"},{"product_id":"m-ward-for-beginners-the-best-of-m-ward","title":"M. Ward - For Beginners: The Best of M. Ward","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eFor Beginners: The Best of M. Ward\u003c\/i\u003e is a collection for M. Ward fans of any vintage. Gathering together 14 tracks from across his Merge Records discography, including the newly recorded song “Cry,” \u003ci\u003eFor Beginners\u003c\/i\u003e is both a primer and a mixtape of favorites sequenced in a way that gives them new life. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBeginning with “Chinese Translation” and “Poison Cup” from 2006’s \u003ca href=\"\/products\/m-ward-post-war\"\u003e\u003ci\u003ePost-War\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ci\u003eFor Beginners\u003c\/i\u003e drops in on Ward as he expands his prowess in the studio. His singular cover of David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance,” from 2003’s \u003ca href=\"\/products\/m-ward-transfiguration-of-vincent-reissue\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eTransfiguration of Vincent\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e, breaks out into the exuberant “Never Had Nobody Like You” from 2009’s \u003ca href=\"product\/hold_time\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eHold Time\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e. Rather than the neat evolutionary line suggested by a chronological arrangement, what holds \u003ci\u003eFor Beginners\u003c\/i\u003e together is Ward’s impeccable skill as a songwriter, which remains in focus as his sound expands from low-fi home recordings to electric, radio-ready stompers.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"merge records","offers":[{"title":"LP (Black)","offer_id":52739356688695,"sku":"MRG850LP","price":24.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Download","offer_id":52739356721463,"sku":"MRG850digital","price":7.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0966\/3935\/3143\/files\/9ba735a90491483f33ea8b24cf895feb639537c0_46640484a9062c6dff501af936ff8fd16d0668ec_medium_jpg.jpg?v=1785382670"}],"url":"https:\/\/mergerecords.com\/collections\/m-ward.oembed","provider":"Merge Records","version":"1.0","type":"link"}