M. Ward's newest album finds substance with simplicity

Folk rock artist M. Ward has recently released his seventh full-length studio album, Hold Time, on Merge Records.

I have a predisposition to folk music , but all biases aside, this is one of the most aesthetically pleasing albums I have listened to thus far in 2009.

Ward's voice is comparable to a resonate breeze, masterfully used in harmony with his sharp, smart, lyrics to create his own warm, full sound in and of himself. Musical structure is simplistic, but throughout the album there are a variety of harmonic and melodic subtleties that are equalized lower to complement Ward's voice.

The tracks on the album are very sporadic, and Ward dances around the edges of the folk spectrum by infusing poppy chordal aspects of Rock n' Roll in the song "Never Had Nobody Like You," to the nocturnal, minor-keyed, "Outro," in which Ward does not sing.

I would recommend this album to anyone interested in finding quality contemporary folk as well as to the seasoned folk enthusiast.