VINYL FORMAT. 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.