The forthcoming Hold Time release (due out February 2009]) is an album loaded with exemplary guitar work and beautiful melodies. Guest performances include Jason Lytle, Lucinda Williams, Tom Hagerman (DeVotchka) and Zooey Deschanel. With this record M. Ward continues to defy comparisons to influences like John Fahey, Tom Waits and Howe Gelb, carving out a distinctive place in music that continues to catch the ear of newcomers, fans and critics alike.