M Ward - 'Post War' (4AD) Released 04/09/06

M Ward (first name Matt) delivers his fifth album of songs recorded in a garret over the last two years in Portland, Oregon - and boy do we need him. With a smoothness and richness of vocal style that hasn't graced since the late Roy Orbison passed over, yet all with a touch of gruff and croak. Matt brings a depth of feeling in his songs to his versatile guitar style that covers the bases in rhythm with torch songs, string-washed laments and ballads, country blues, strumming Delta blues numbers with Wurlitzer organ flourishes - no wonder he caught the attention of Meg White who personally invited him to open for The White Stripes on their last US tour. 'Post War' is Matt Wards 'first band record' featuring the artists he's been performing live with over the last 18 months, bringing honed arrangments and their conviviality to bear.

The Romantics are in luck - 'Poison Cup' opens - "...cos I want it all...and I hope you know what I'm thinking of/ I need all your love...", Matt's voice with a plea and richness that reminds of Roy Orbison with a heart-worn-on-the-sleeve, a riffing cadence with strings weaving in and out, and my this is one beautiful melody - "...she said if love/ if love/ is a poison cup/ then drink it up...". A rollicking piano-led tune on 'To Go Home' hits a home run with a track to make you want to run on the pitch or dance on the table, with an instant appeal and a freshness like The Magic Numbers with Matt singing - "...I'll be true/ to you oh yeah you know I will..." and the exuberance frothing over the brim, oh yeah. 'Right In The Head' ushers more changes of melody with a fuzz guitar and rockabilly strut. Tender deliveries on title track 'Post War' with a cabaret-style act - softly, softly keys and a slow burn, a track that could have been penned from Tom Waits 'Swordfishtrombones'; with a torch-song for 'Eyes On The Prize' - "...with My eyes on the prize/ my mind on you..."; and 'Today's Undertaking' featuring the Mr Orbison nuances of feeling and evocation, like Matt's sitting up there in a tree with his guitar and a melody.

'Requiem' sounds like a Freddie Mercury blast with less of an eulogy and more of a raised glass to a departed soul - "...he was a good man but now he's gone...", and 'Chinese Translation' has a shimmy Elvis (the Pelvis) or Johnny Cash would be proud of coupled with a tale of wisdom from an old, old man that leads to musicality that allows the pucker-picking guitars to roam free. 'Magic Trick' cuts like the old spiritual 'He's Got The Whole World In His Hands' only here "...she's got one magic trick/ just one/ and that's it..." with a singalong quick-time. 'Rollercoaster' is a lazy Jack Johnson-style ditty with a a lazy strum and subtle changes in vocal delivery - "...You're like a rollercoaster/ you got heavy metal ways...".

'Post War' has an immediacy of warmth and ambiance, a grace that makes you want to plunder his back catalogue and turn on your friends. There's appeal to be found in this release that'd bring disparate listeners into a huddle - from Jack Johnson and Bright Eyes to Roy Orbison and Johnny Cash fans - an inherent timelessness means it 'll probably age well and add joys to many a late night, or succour to many a broken heart. Something to cherish.