- Critic score
- Publication
- By date
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Transfiguration is a quiet record and might lose some listeners in it's sleepy summer melancholy, but M. Ward is the real deal.
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Alternative PressM. Ward's creations have the fragility of drawings made in the dust that's settled on a china cabinet. [Apr 2003, p.87]
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There's not a weak moment on this dark-horse gem of a disc.
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BlenderAs familiar as alt-country has become, Ward makes it worthwhile again. [#16, p.125]
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at you have here is the exact opposite of a period piece: it's new but it feels old, it's here but it's nowhere, it's now but it's forever. Whatever, wherever, and whenever it is, though, it's lovely.
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MagnetWard's far-ranging sound transcends the room.... If only his lyrics were as fresh. [#58, p.106]
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MojoFrustratingly short of utter genius, but largely lovely too. [May 2003, p.102]
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Ward creates a full, alluring atmosphere that will recall for listeners all sorts of classic American music, real, remembered and imagined.
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Q MagazineA rich quilt of Americana, as if the folk, country and rock strands were brought together in a starlit saloon somewhere near the border. [Jun 2003, p.106]
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Ward’s controlled voice never falters or fails, which makes his words of wisdom drill into the soul with unquestionable power.
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The WireThis is a dark night of the soul record, a distant country cousin of Young's Tonight's The Night, but it feels flooded with light and air and space. [#232, p.73]
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UncutAnother masterclass in deft guitar picking, smudged with piano, harmonica and a voice like honey drizzled onto a dry creekbed. [Jun 2003, p.93]
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Under The RadarWard injects a welcome dose of melody and sonic adventurism into the sagging lo-fi singer/songwriter genre. [#5, p.108]
Awards & Rankings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 17 out of 18
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Mixed: 0 out of 18
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Negative: 1 out of 18
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DubMSep 11, 2006
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GabeTMar 21, 2006Not one bad song on the album. Great feel, very chill, amazing songwriting.
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BenKFeb 17, 2006This is the sort of music a pensive coyboy would play.