Transfiguration of Vincent [Vinyl]

M. Ward | Format: Vinyl

Product Details

• Vinyl (July 8, 2008)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Jealous Butcher
• ASIN: B001ASII1E
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #339,115 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Transfiguration, No. 1

2. Vincent O'Brien

3. Sad, Sad Song

4. Undertaker

5. Duet for Guitars, No. 3

6. Outta My Head

7. Involuntary

8. Helicopter

9. Poor Boy, Minor Key

10. Fool Says

11. Get to the Table on Time

12. A Voice at the End of the Line

13. Dead Man

14. Let's Dance

15. Transfiguration, No. 2

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

M. Ward has been championed by Howe Gelb, who released Ward's 2000 debut disc Duet for Guitars #2 on his Ow Om label, and Conor Oberst, who brought Ward on the road with Bright Eyes. In 2001, Ward earned some small measure of acclaim for his sophomore effort, End of Amnesia, and if the Portland, Oregon-based songwriter keeps making records as inventive and thoroughly rewarding as this third album, he won't be unknown long. Full of snappy, loping pop tunes interwoven with mellow instrumental passages, Transfiguration of Vincent shows Ward to be a terrific folk and blues guitarist, a perceptive, witty storyteller, and--in tossing piano, percussion, harmonica, and various other instruments into mixes that never feel the least bit cluttered--an imaginative arranger. He's also an expressive vocalist, whether in a winsome upper register that recalls Ben Harper or his sandy-throated midrange. There's not a weak moment on this dark-horse gem of a disc. --Anders Smith Lindall

Product Description

"M. Ward's Transfiguration of Vincent album is a house filled with ghosts, from the spirits of friends who have passed away to the departed legends of American roots music." -- PopMatters

"This is a dark night of the soul record, a distant country cousin of Young's Tonight's The Night." -- The Wire

"Another masterclass in deft guitar picking smudged with piano, harmonica, and a voice like honey drizzled onto a dry creekbed." -- Uncut

* First time available on vinyl!

* 180 gram audiophile quality vinyl with expanded artwork by original album artist John King.

* CD released by Merge Records in 2003 has sold over 100,000 copies.

* Current member of She & Him with Zooey Deschanel.

* Announcements through website/blog campaign.

* Ads with prominent web publications.

M. Ward's third album places him in the forefront of a modern movement that is clearly progressive while simultaneously sounding regressive, manifesting a genius that is pure and untempered. His music defies description except to say it is coming from somewhere steeped in early blues with a Neil Young overlay and the feel of country, blues, pop, and folk. People point to Tom Waits and others as Ward's forbearers, but the muse here is genuinely unique and the sounds are those that only a budding genius could make. The opening riff of "Fool Says" feels like it came from Abbey Road, but by the song's end you have been dipped in Young and Dylan. M. Ward makes beautiful music--sounds like you have never encountered--and sings along with the melodies as if he can't help himself. Who could if they had this much soul? It is all coming from a very deep place, and you owe it to yourself to hear these songs because they are the most soulful and melodic tunes you will have heard in quite some time. If you put this album on your turntable it will be a long time before you take it off. The more you listen, the deeper it gets--just like M. Ward himself. This is genius--pure genius--and you need to hear it.

"Some time in 2035, I'm going to pull this album out, and it's going to sound just as good as it does now. There's something running through it that broadcasts timelessness and defies genre constraints." -- Pitchfork [8.3]

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars #3 Ward Highway: A Growing Star, February 21, 2005

By 

loujack (coos bay, oregon) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: M. Ward - Transfiguration of Vincent (Audio CD)

This, M Ward's third CD, places him in the forefront of a modern movement that is clearly progressive while simultaneously sounding regressive, feeling dusty with age, and manifesting a genius that is pure and untempered. His music defies description except to say it is coming from somewhere seeped in the early blues with a Neil Young overlay and the feel of country, blues, pop, and folk. I am beginning to believe, the more I listen to this CD, that if Neil Young heard it he would say: "That's it...that is what I was trying to sound like...listen to those chord progressions and chord changes...that's it". People point to Tom Waits and others as Ward's forebearers but the muse here is genuinely unique and the sounds are those that only a budding genius could make. The opening rif of "Fool Says" feels like it came from Abbey Road but by song's end you have been dipped in Young and Dylan. I dare you to listen to "Get to the table on time" and not imagine yourself there as the Ward family calls their prodigal son to come down from the attic for dinner. M Ward makes beautiful music---sounds like you have never encountered---and he sings along with the melodies as if he can't help himself. Who could if they had this much soul? It is all coming from a very deep place inside him and you owe it to yourself before you pass---the main issue he is addressing on this CD---to hear these songs because they are the most soulful and melodic tunes you will have heard in quite some time. This man lives in his own songful world and I can't thank him enough for sharing it with us on Transfiguration. If you put this CD on your stereo it will be a long time before you take it off. The more you listen the deeper it gets---just like M Ward, I suspect. This is genius, pure genius, and you need to hear it. If when you have given Transfiguration a good listen and find yourself wanting more of the same (yet beautifully different), then go backwards on the Ward Highway to End of Amnesia or forward to Transitor Radio. You will be very glad you did. Enjoy!

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best heartfelt expressions I've heard., July 5, 2004

By 

Bren (CORVALLIS, OR United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: M. Ward - Transfiguration of Vincent (Audio CD)

Don't listen to some of those over analytical reviews you'll find about M. Ward. The guy is a genuine artist. If you are looking for cool hooks, or something that tries too hard to be clever, then this isn't your album. However, if you want to hear someone explore their soul during a darker time in their life, this it. It's a beautiful album, when I got it, I listened to it over and over again. It's brilliant, but it's from the heart not the head. That's where music should come from. So pick it up and listen to it on a late night drive or a quiet night at home. Don't give up on it if you don't like it the first try, but that won't happen I swear.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars listening to M. Ward -- in the middle of Iowa...., June 6, 2003

By 

Jason Nelson (Cedar Falls, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: M. Ward - Transfiguration of Vincent (Audio CD)

I don't write reviews, and very rarely take them to heart, but M. Wards 'Transfiguration Of Vincent' is so wonderful that I can't help myself. I just recently stumbled upon M. Wards music, but I'm already hooked. I imagine I'll still be listening to this record 30 years from now. The sound is so timeless. Ghosts from the past seem to creep in and crawl around throughout this record, but it's still very original. There are some very possible influences such as Tom Waits, Bob Dylan, maybe even The Beatles at times, but Matt never seems to steal from them like many new blues/rock acts seem to be doing lately. I think that's what sets this record apart from a lot of other new bands, that are good, but don't seem to be cutting their own path like Matt Ward has been doing so very well. Words really can't do this music justice. I highly recommend checking it out....I'm sure you'll understand what I mean.