For once an album whose charms aren't difficult to explain. M. Ward writes great songs, he covers other people's great songs (Buddy Holly, Don Gibson and Billie Holiday here), he plays great guitar, his voice is charming - what's not to love? Critics say Hold Time isn't as good as his earlier albums, which makes me glad I haven't heard them. I'll have something to look forward to, and if I disagree with the critics, even better.
I guess it's cheating to make this review so much shorter than the others, but I feel like if I kept going it would be just so many words. You should listen to this album - I think it's great. If I had to pick some adjectives to describe it, I'd say it was alternately blissful and contemplative - this is largely an upbeat album, as far as I can tell. Even the slow numbers seem more thoughtful than melancholy to me - like sitting back and gazing at the stars or watching the clouds go across the sky.
I think Hold Time is one of the best albums of 2009. Listen for yourself and decide if you think I'm right.
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