M Ward – Migration Stories (Anti-)

Despite being recorded mostly in Canada, M Ward’s 10^th studio album, Migration Stories, is just about pure Americana.

Over the past twenty years, not only has Ward cranked out 10 solo albums, but he’s also cut six more with Zooey Dechanel as She & Him. And then there’s his work with Monsters Of Folk (Jim Jones, Conor Oberst, Mike Mogen) that resulted in their 2009 album.  Yes, its been a productive time for Mr Ward.

And Migration Stories shows that he is neither slowing down, or losing any creativity. As the title suggests, the 11 songs here share a basic common subject matter based on immigration, including the story of his own Mexican grandfather. But the links between the songs are tenuous at best…meaning that they stand up just fine on their own. This is no concept album.

Recorded in Montreal, Ward worked  with a number of musicians and engineers known for their work with Arcade Fire.

But don’t worry, this doesn’t sound like that band. Instead, Ward is sounding comfortable in his own skin here, laid back and funky like a cross between JJ Cale and Tom Waits.

Opening tune Migration Of Souls hits Ward’s sweet spot right away, with a lovely, subtle sax contribution from Teddy Impakt.

“Sailing on past space and time, that’s how I’ll get back to you” he croons as the track turns from folky to jazzy.

Ward claims the next track, Heaven’s Nail And Hammer, is an extension of the previous tune, although I don’t really hear it. Instead a twangy guitar brings on a late night vibe as Ward sings, “In the night with voices low, low, low and the cars are off the road”. Anyone who has taken to the motorway during this isolation period will relate.

One of my favourites is Coyote Mary’s Travelling Show a tune Ward claims was inspired by Hank Williams and the Coen Brothers. Its an easygoing track with, what I think is a pedal steel guitar. Much of Ward’s music is rooted in the 1950s and here he throws in a little rockabilly hiccup in his vocal just to make that point.

Along the way there are songs about earthquakes, New Mexico and chamber music with songs inspired by the likes of James Joyce, Wallace Stevens and Hank Williams. Ward covers Along The Santa Fe Trail, a tune recorded by both Williams and Bing Crosby.

With the current state of affairs being what they are, there may be fewer migration stories over the next few months or years. All the more reason to check out M Ward’s latest.

Marty Duda