Hold Time
by M. Ward
  • Record Label: Merge
  • Release Date: Feb 17, 2009
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. 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.
  2. musicOMH.com
    50
    Hold Time goes one step further by drowning the whole caboodle in a bizarre new sound that incorporates cheesy synthetic-sounding strings, a hint of Phil Spector as well as that resolutely unpretty croak.

User Reviews

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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
  1. 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. AfterThe 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-    … Full Review »
  2. 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 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.… Full Review »
  3. 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 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.… Full Review »
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