M. Ward’s rise to international renown has been something of a slow burn. Initially a well-kept secret of his peers in the Portland folk scene, his star continued to rise with each record’s release, and he is now one of the most acclaimed American musicians of the decade. When not busy with his solo work, Ward has also found time to act as a producer – an interest that manifested itself in She & Him, a project made with fan-turned-friend, Zooey Deschanel. Their debut, Volume One, was inspired by the sun-soaked sounds of ‘60s California pop. Ward’s latest solo outing, Hold Time, is an eloquent and startlingly beautiful album which includes guest performances by Jason Lytle, Lucinda Williams, Tom Hagerman of DeVotchka and Zooey Deschanel. Critics of Ward's past work have compared it to the likes of John Fahey, Tom Waits and his old friend Howe Gelb, but with Hold Time it’s clear that M. Ward, with his brilliant guitar playing and innate sense of melody, is one of those rare and special talents who defy comparisons and compartmentalization. Like a true American treasure, M. Ward cuts his own groove while music fans continue to fall under his whispered spell.