Hold Time
by M. Ward
  • Record Label: Merge
  • Release Date: Feb 17, 2009
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 24 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 24
  3. Negative: 1 out of 24

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  1. EdD
    Feb 18, 2009
    9
    His previous album, Post War, is AMAZING and it would have been difficult to top... but M. Ward produces a solid album here and fans of his will not be let down. But for any new listeners, check out his last album Post-War before you get into this one.
  2. MichaelEt
    Feb 18, 2009
    9
    Wonderfull lush arrangements, string parts in which a voice can happily drown, sharp turns, great atmpspherics: Mr. Ward ist master in recreating the virtues of ancient recording techniques and vibes. The title song is a masterpiece, and the video of "Hold Time" on "you tube" simply fabulous. A true archaeologist is someone who is making discoveries. Breaking down time seem to be a Wonderfull lush arrangements, string parts in which a voice can happily drown, sharp turns, great atmpspherics: Mr. Ward ist master in recreating the virtues of ancient recording techniques and vibes. The title song is a masterpiece, and the video of "Hold Time" on "you tube" simply fabulous. A true archaeologist is someone who is making discoveries. Breaking down time seem to be a constant joy for M. Ward.… Expand
  3. MarkS
    Feb 18, 2009
    8
    Ward continues to be a consistent Americana artist who doesn't know how to write a bad song. His duet with Lucinda Williams is beautiful.
  4. ChadS
    Feb 20, 2009
    10
    No track on "Hold Time" will make you hold your breath like "Poison Cup" and "Chinese Translation" did, but overall, this lovely follow-up to "Post-War" might be a stronger overall album. For starters, Buddy Holly fans will go ape**** over Ward's reworking of "Rave On". "Jailbird" nicks New Order's "Love Vigilantes" with wit. "For Beginners" contains a rhythm guitar that No track on "Hold Time" will make you hold your breath like "Poison Cup" and "Chinese Translation" did, but overall, this lovely follow-up to "Post-War" might be a stronger overall album. For starters, Buddy Holly fans will go ape**** over Ward's reworking of "Rave On". "Jailbird" nicks New Order's "Love Vigilantes" with wit. "For Beginners" contains a rhythm guitar that uncannily recalls the slack-key stylings of regional artist Gabby Pahinui(made known to the world through Ry Cooder), but that might be a coincidence. "To Save Me" is a miraculous hybrid of rhythm and blues, and Ward's own personal aesthetics of musical autism. Nobody mixes the old with the new quite like Ward. His sincerity is winning, and never cloying. He's a vital artist. "Hold Time" holds steady with grace, but it lacks a classic original song. You'll just have to do with a classic cover: a languid reworking of Don Gibson's "Oh, Lonesome Me", which suggests Ward had studied the duets that Stuart Staples(of Tindersticks) recorded with actress Isabella Rosselini("A Marriage Made in Heaven") and Carla Torgeson("Travelling Light").… Expand
  5. JonG
    Jun 11, 2009
    9
    An amazing album-anyone who thinks the strings are fake needs to check him out live. This is the real deal.
  6. MichaelH
    Aug 19, 2009
    10
    Rave On is one of M. Ward's most cherrished works, the beautiful soul-toned singer mixed with the backing vocals of Zooey Deschannel creates this airy, summery album with songs of sweet moving melodies and beautiful instrumentation with numerous tracks envoking something beyond breathtaking in the listener. Almost sounding like the album built specifically for lovers, there's Rave On is one of M. Ward's most cherrished works, the beautiful soul-toned singer mixed with the backing vocals of Zooey Deschannel creates this airy, summery album with songs of sweet moving melodies and beautiful instrumentation with numerous tracks envoking something beyond breathtaking in the listener. Almost sounding like the album built specifically for lovers, there's nothing flirtatious about the album that keeps you listening from start to finish, waiting for the next summer adventure M. Ward has in store.… Expand
  7. DavidS.
    Feb 18, 2009
    10
    M. Ward simply exudes excellence. He obviously puts his heart and soul into everything he does. Hold Time is no exception.
  8. JPC
    Feb 18, 2009
    10
    Great great record. Don't be fooled by the title, in this one the man has moved (for)ward.
  9. BobP
    Apr 17, 2009
    10
    A funky Buddy Holly - awesome!
  10. JesscoW
    Sep 11, 2009
    6
    You know, I found this album to be really bland, and I thought maybe I'm just not a big M. Ward fan. But then I listened to Transfiguration of Vincent, which was amazing, and I realized that Hold Time just kind of sucks.
  11. Vampire25
    May 14, 2013
    9
    The only time I listened to M. Ward was She & Him and Monsters Of Folk, never his own record. I'll admit, I hate myself for it. After listening to Hold Time, I'm reevaluating all of this. What a fantastic record. Wards lyrics sound like a man with 80 years of wisdom under his belt. His vocals even shine as much or even more than this record. Every track is great.

    All In All, Hold Time    The only time I listened to M. Ward was She & Him and Monsters Of Folk, never his own record. I'll admit, I hate myself for it. After listening to Hold Time, I'm reevaluating all of this. What a fantastic record. Wards lyrics sound like a man with 80 years of wisdom under his belt. His vocals even shine as much or even more than this record. Every track is great.

    All In All, Hold Time is a far better record than I expected. I loved every minute of it. A-    … Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. Drowned In Sound
    90
    M. Ward turns in a star-studded set that feels at once a logical progression from 2006’s "Post-War" and a step closer to that all-out classic his preceding suggests; an assimilation and appropriation of American blues, gospel, country and folk as lovingly, winningly relayed as we’ve come to expect from the Portland-based troubadour.
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  2. Dusted Magazine
    60
    Hold Time, Ward’s latest batch of songs, seems slighter, happier and louder than those on 2006’s "Post-War," but also distinctly complacent.
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  3. Slant Magazine
    80
    Another feather in his crowded cap, Hold Time is further proof that Ward provides a powerful jolt to what might otherwise be a tired genre.
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