It's been a few years since M. Ward released a solo album, but now the folksy singer-guitarist — who is the "Him" in She & Him — has announced a new LP. More Rain will be out on March 4 through Merge.
Guests on the album include R.E.M.'s Peter Buck, Neko Case, k.d. lang, the Secret Sisters and NRBQ's Joey Spampinato. A press release notes that Ward initially envisioned the project as a doo-wop album, but it eventually turned into a more upbeat affair.
He said in a statement, "I think one of the biggest mysteries of America right now is this: How are we able to process unending bad news on page one and then go about our lives the way the style section portrays us? There must be a place in our brains that allows us to take a bird's-eye view of humanity, and I think music is good at helping people — myself included — go to that place."
The tracklist is below, and "Girl from Conejo Valley" can be heard at the bottom of the page. It's an atmospheric, upbeat folk-rock number with a hint of power-pop in its riff-fuelled crescendos.
More Rain can be pre-ordered from Merge's online store or digitally from iTunes.
More Rain:
1. More Rain
2. Pirate Dial
3. Time Won't Wait
4. Confession
5. I'm Listening (Child's Theme)
6. Girl from Conejo Valley
7. Slow Driving Man
8. You're So Good to Me
9. Temptation
10. Phenomenon
11. Little Baby
12. I'm Going Higher
Tour dates:
01/29 Los Angeles, CA - The Cathedral Sanctuary at Immanuel Presbyterian *
01/30 Los Angeles, CA - The Cathedral Sanctuary at Immanuel Presbyterian *
02/03 New York, NY - Beacon Theatre *
02/04 New York, NY - Beacon Theatre *
02/06 Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium *
* with Jenny Lewis
Guests on the album include R.E.M.'s Peter Buck, Neko Case, k.d. lang, the Secret Sisters and NRBQ's Joey Spampinato. A press release notes that Ward initially envisioned the project as a doo-wop album, but it eventually turned into a more upbeat affair.
He said in a statement, "I think one of the biggest mysteries of America right now is this: How are we able to process unending bad news on page one and then go about our lives the way the style section portrays us? There must be a place in our brains that allows us to take a bird's-eye view of humanity, and I think music is good at helping people — myself included — go to that place."
The tracklist is below, and "Girl from Conejo Valley" can be heard at the bottom of the page. It's an atmospheric, upbeat folk-rock number with a hint of power-pop in its riff-fuelled crescendos.
More Rain can be pre-ordered from Merge's online store or digitally from iTunes.
More Rain:
1. More Rain
2. Pirate Dial
3. Time Won't Wait
4. Confession
5. I'm Listening (Child's Theme)
6. Girl from Conejo Valley
7. Slow Driving Man
8. You're So Good to Me
9. Temptation
10. Phenomenon
11. Little Baby
12. I'm Going Higher
Tour dates:
01/29 Los Angeles, CA - The Cathedral Sanctuary at Immanuel Presbyterian *
01/30 Los Angeles, CA - The Cathedral Sanctuary at Immanuel Presbyterian *
02/03 New York, NY - Beacon Theatre *
02/04 New York, NY - Beacon Theatre *
02/06 Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium *
* with Jenny Lewis
