Ward, M

***In the three years since Portland, Oregon-based troubadour M. WARD released his last solo album—the universally lauded Hold Time—he’s toured the globe, released two albums as one half of Grammy-nominated duo SHE & HIM, as well as one with the talented group of friends collectively know as MONSTERS OF FOLK. Inspired by his increasingly itinerant lifestyle, Ward set forth to create something of a musical travelogue on the highly anticipated sixth solo album, A Wasteland Companion. Ward’s honey-soaked vocals, deft finger-picking, innate sense of melody and beguiling lyrics have already cemented his reputation as one of America’s true musical treasures and A Wasteland Companion features some of the finest songwriting and most striking delivery of his career. A Wasteland Companion also features the talents of MIKE COYKENDALL, GIANT SAND’s HOWE GELB, JOHN PARISH, BRIGHT EYES’ MIKE MOGIS, SUSAN SANCHEZ, ZOOEY DESCHANEL, JORDON HUDSON, ADAM SELZER, NATHAN “JR” ANDERSON, SCOTT MCPHERSON, SONIC YOUTH’s STEVE SHELLEY, DR. DOG’s TOBEY LEAMAN, DEVOTCHKA’s TOM HAGERMAN, OAKLEY HALL’s RACHEL COX, AMANDA LAWRENCE, JOHN GRABOFF, and TYLER TORNFELT. CD packaged in 4-panel softpacks with booklets. LP packaged in gatefold jackets. (STREET DATE - 4/10/2012)