Transistor Radio
by M. Ward
  • Record Label: Merge
  • Release Date: Feb 22, 2005
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 33 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 33
  3. Negative: 2 out of 33

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. MatthewC
    Apr 20, 2005
    9
    Not quite as good as Transfigration of Vincent, but still a damn fine album. I've been wearing it out. This, Beck, Andrew Bird and the Decemberists new one are my faves so far this year.
  2. [Anonymous]
    Sep 1, 2005
    9
    A journey to the best AM radio past in one of the highest points of musical creation of the year... Amazing!
  3. JasonW.
    Mar 5, 2005
    10
    According to my iTunes I've listened to Transistor Radio about 70 times since it was released last week. I also just saw him last night in concert at the Iron Horse in Northampton, too. I can't get enough; he is one of the best singer/songwriters around right now.
  4. PepeI
    May 9, 2005
    10
    This is an awesome collection of songs. it seems to be condemned to go by totally unnoticed by most of people, ain't it sad
  5. NickR
    Mar 5, 2006
    10
    amazing!! the whole album ties itself tegether all of those songs need one another to give the album the effect that it had
  6. alecb
    Nov 26, 2008
    10
    A timelessly beautiful album. Pure and heartfelt, M. Ward pays homage to America of yore, and points to a bright future for the new folk/Americana movement.
  7. jebjebitz
    Mar 29, 2009
    9
    This one is just great. So many subtle moments, it puts you in a great state of mind.
  8. mahal
    Nov 26, 2005
    9
    reminding me of The Doors, but much more chrystal. i have a good time listening, again and again!
  9. RichardS.
    Oct 19, 2005
    9
    Beautiful record. Album of the year.
  10. ChrisC
    Feb 23, 2005
    10
    M. Ward's new album Transistor Radio is a great collection of songs. The songs are a terrific demonstrations of M. Ward's unqiue approach to the accoustic, singer/songwriter, alt country genres. A must listen!
  11. PhilPhil
    Mar 20, 2005
    8
    Great album by one of the best singer-songwriters around. However, hes put off by his own past greatness as 'Transfiguration' can put this into perspective and make it seem less than magnigicent. Great album though, definetly recomend picking it up.
  12. JordanT.
    Apr 13, 2005
    9
    A thoroughly reflective and well-hewn collection of songs that reinvigorates the Beach Boys (again?) and illustrates the subtle touch of a songwriter in full stride. Save Sweethearts on Parade, this album is top to bottom terriffic.
  13. seanfxmurphy
    Jul 24, 2005
    10
    Gorgeous! Get all his stuff! Next stop, Wonderland.
  14. hansd
    Sep 14, 2005
    10
    hell yeah
  15. Spencer
    Dec 1, 2006
    10
    ROCKPALAST! If you're a fan of his newer album, Post-War, you should definitely check out this one!!!
  16. michael
    Jan 22, 2006
    10
    quiet, modest beauty. perfection in imperfection a voice of a man, not a singer, breaking and rasping, almost as though each song is recorded between cigarettes. warmth and contentment plucked from his strings and wisdom whispered from his lips.
  17. jeff
    Feb 3, 2006
    10
    My favorite album of 2005. Brilliant.
  18. Cables
    Apr 18, 2006
    9
    This album is brilliant. I got it about a year after it came out and I love it. You will too. Buy it.
  19. Johan
    Aug 22, 2006
    9
    fantastic
  20. AdamX
    Mar 14, 2005
    10
    A mere 77 for this angers me... this has to be the album of the year!
  21. JohnP
    Apr 19, 2005
    7
    Alright. Takes about 3-4 songs to even get going. I think Ward fell a little too in love with the whole 'timeless lo-fi folk affectation' thing this time around. Still a nice record, but Transfiguration of Vincent is nicer.
  22. WayneB
    May 21, 2005
    7
    I really really want to get more excited with this (and his 4 or whatever releases), but I still am waiting for him to take the leap into less safe/ predictable territory similar to other contemporaries such as PG Six, Matt Valentine, Six Organs...or even veterans Howe Gelb and Vic Chesnutt. The potential most definitely exists and I am confident once all the "neo-folk poster boy" I really really want to get more excited with this (and his 4 or whatever releases), but I still am waiting for him to take the leap into less safe/ predictable territory similar to other contemporaries such as PG Six, Matt Valentine, Six Organs...or even veterans Howe Gelb and Vic Chesnutt. The potential most definitely exists and I am confident once all the "neo-folk poster boy" attention he (and Banhart) have been sucked into subsides, Matt will use his talent to make a more daring collection of songs... With all that said, Transistor Radio is still worth owning to play for musically conservative guests who stop by the apartment. Better than most music we are force fed into believing is cool these days!… Expand
  23. MeepWeep
    Aug 14, 2005
    9
    brilliant album. Four hours in washington and 'lullaby and exile' are 2 of the most beautiful songs i have ever heard. don't miss Hi-Fi either!
  24. JereW
    Jul 18, 2006
    8
    Magnificent

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. AllMusic
    80
    Ward's voice is a slap-delayed pastiche of Ron Sexsmith's easygoing croon and Andrew Bird's closed-mouth drawl, and like his front-porch fingerpicking, it's as effortless as it is effective.
    Read full review
  2. Paste Magazine
    70
    Ward's lo-fi (and utterly charming) ditties make you long for a past you never lived. [#14, p.123]
  3. Lost At Sea
    80
    Texture and detail separte M. Ward from other solo singer-guitarists, but his general songwriting formula is what gets him to the peak of exceptional list in the first place.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »