• Record Label: Merge
  • Release Date: Mar 18, 2003
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. There's not a weak moment on this dark-horse gem of a disc.
  2. Ward’s controlled voice never falters or fails, which makes his words of wisdom drill into the soul with unquestionable power.
  3. The Wire
    80
    This 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]
  4. Blender
    80
    As familiar as alt-country has become, Ward makes it worthwhile again. [#16, p.125]
  5. Ward creates a full, alluring atmosphere that will recall for listeners all sorts of classic American music, real, remembered and imagined.
  6. Mojo
    80
    Frustratingly short of utter genius, but largely lovely too. [May 2003, p.102]
  7. Transfiguration is a quiet record and might lose some listeners in it's sleepy summer melancholy, but M. Ward is the real deal.
  8. 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.
  9. Q Magazine
    80
    A 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]
  10. Uncut
    80
    Another masterclass in deft guitar picking, smudged with piano, harmonica and a voice like honey drizzled onto a dry creekbed. [Jun 2003, p.93]
  11. Magnet
    70
    Ward's far-ranging sound transcends the room.... If only his lyrics were as fresh. [#58, p.106]
  12. Alternative Press
    70
    M. Ward's creations have the fragility of drawings made in the dust that's settled on a china cabinet. [Apr 2003, p.87]
  13. Under The Radar
    70
    Ward injects a welcome dose of melody and sonic adventurism into the sagging lo-fi singer/songwriter genre. [#5, p.108]

Awards & Rankings

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 18 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 18
  3. Negative: 1 out of 18
  1. DubM
    Sep 11, 2006
    9
    One of the best records I've listened to in a long time. This CD convinced me to get Transistor Radio and Post War, both of those albums One of the best records I've listened to in a long time. This CD convinced me to get Transistor Radio and Post War, both of those albums didn't let me down either. Full Review »
  2. GabeT
    Mar 21, 2006
    10
    Not one bad song on the album. Great feel, very chill, amazing songwriting.
  3. BenK
    Feb 17, 2006
    10
    This is the sort of music a pensive coyboy would play.