Transfiguration of Vincent

M. Ward | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: March 18, 2003
• Label: Merge Records
• Total Length: 44:09
• Genres: Alternative Rock/Indie & Lo-Fi, Alternative Rock/Singer-Songwriters, Pop/Adult Alternative, Pop/Pop Rock, Pop/Singer-Songwriters, Rock/Singer-Songwriters
• ASIN: B000U7SO9W
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #37,317 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

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: 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: 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: 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.