IN the age of the download, maverick M Ward chooses to release a concept album.
It is typical of the retro singer-guitarist to swim against the prevailing current. Transistor Radio, his ambitious fourth album, is based on old-time radio, complete with crackle, distortion and treated vocals. Beginning with a lovely cover of the Beach Boys and ending with JS Bach, this is far from your typical fare. The atmosphere is more successful than the tunes but, given time, the sweet falsetto and excellent, undemonstrative guitar playing hit home. However, the songwriting has not advanced from Transfiguration Of Vincent, and without a stronger suite of songs to rival his peerless mood creation and musical sophistication, Ward will remain a shadowy figure.
Updated: 08:55 Thursday, March 17, 2005
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