M. Ward — Transistor Radio

Old world underground, there you are — in the timeless hands of M. Ward. The Portland-based Ward is a singer-songwriter anachronism, determined to revive American folk music — the title alone is a perfect match for Ward's mash notes to past eras. Transistor Radio segues from simple, tape-hiss adorned acoustic numbers to Tom Waits-style cabaret blues to jubilant Tin Pan Alley boogie-ing (with Vic Chestnutt and Rilo Kiley's Jenny Lewis joining the fun on "Big Boat"). The eclectic recordings are further buoyed by eclectic production — analog love for those who just aren't made for these times.

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