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Post-War
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Post-War Image
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 30 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 30 Ratings

  • Summary: The singer-songwriter's fifth release finds him backed for the first time by a full band, which includes Rachel Blumberg (The Decemberists) and Jordan Hudson (The Thermals). Neko Case and My Morning Jacket's Jim James guest.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    100
    Ward's talents have never been more persuasively showcased. [1 Sep 2006, p.77]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Filter
    88
    An album confident enough in its substance to not force profound stylistic changes. [#21, p.100]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Magnet
    80
    The most mature and cohesive set of songs in Ward's catalog. [#73, p.109]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Neumu.net
    80
    There's more body here, more barroom spill and rollick. There's also a feeling Ward is pushing at the fabric of his music, trying to expand and progress. But the same cinematic mist hovers, the same old, old intimacy fans know well.
  5. Slant Magazine
    80
    It's an inventive, sharp delight of a record, and possibly one of the year's best.
  6. Austin Chronicle
    78
    Ambivalent, fatalistic, heartbroken, defiantly hopeful.
  7. Stylus Magazine
    42
    It’s abundantly clear that Ward is an indie-rock songwriter--a pretty good one sometimes--who doesn’t bring a whole lot else to the table.

See all 30 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 17
  3. Negative: 2 out of 17
  1. JoãoC
    Sep 14, 2006
    10
    This fifth record is as good as his previous efforts, but this time he has a wonderful band to give a wider landscape to his songs. Brilliant.
  2. MatthewC
    Sep 2, 2006
    10
    His strongest album to date, surpassing even Transfiguration of Vincent, which is quite an achievement. The bigger sound he gets here from a His strongest album to date, surpassing even Transfiguration of Vincent, which is quite an achievement. The bigger sound he gets here from a more traditional "band" gives this set of songs a depth that really makes them stick in your mind. Matt's the best young songwriter working today and this album bears that out.… Expand
  4. JackPot
    Aug 29, 2006
    9
    With each album, it becomes clearer that M. Ward has one of rock's great voices. It has a certain world-weariness that can inspire With each album, it becomes clearer that M. Ward has one of rock's great voices. It has a certain world-weariness that can inspire feelings of yearning and wonder.… Expand
  5. BradP
    Sep 7, 2006
    9
    M. Ward continues his run with a thoroughly consistent batch of material that follows up on his ideas from Transistor Radio and M. Ward continues his run with a thoroughly consistent batch of material that follows up on his ideas from Transistor Radio and Transfiguration of Vincent. Great songs that stick in your mind, delivered with one of the most unique voices on the Indie scene today. The production is wonderfully layered and organic, with beautiful rambling guitar noise and a powerful rhythm section. This one earns steady rotation on the iPod.… Expand
  6. StuD
    Jan 31, 2007
    9
    Pleasantly surprised. A definite top 10 for '06.
  7. KevinR
    Oct 9, 2006
    8
    A good record, though some of the songs have a very unnecessary feel to them.
  8. JosephN
    Sep 7, 2006
    2
    Did we ask for more of the same? At times he sounds like a dieing baby

See all 17 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

53
#53 Best Album of 2006

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