M. Ward - 'Transistor Radio' (Matador) Released 21/02/05

M. Ward grew up in California but is now based in Portland, Oregon.  He’s been on stages with the likes of R.E.M. and Bruce Springsteen, and been covered by Bright Eyes and Grandaddy – not a bad pedigree.  ‘Transistor Radio’ is Ward’s fourth album, and somewhat of a concept record – songs about radio power that were intended to be released on vinyl. 

Opening with an instrumental track, ‘You Still Believe In Me’, you get a clear idea of what is to come.  Gentle acoustic guitar melodies, which either bore or delight, unfortunately for Ward it’s the former that it this album falls into.  ‘One Life Away’ is produced cleverly to sound like the music is from an old radio, whilst ‘Sweetheart On Parade’ has some intricate guitars going on.  Neither is particularly stimulating though, and it is only at the eighth attempt that a track demands attention. ‘Big Boat’ is a great slice of rock’n’roll built on a pulsating piano line.

‘Side b’, or the second half of the record, is pretty much more of the same – though an apology may be in order.  Such was the monotonous sounds coming from the speakers, attention quickly evaporated as one track blended into another.  In fairness, Ward does possess a sweet voice, but it is not best employed on these particular acoustic tracks.  An album for insomniacs.