Reviews"Best of all is 'Wild Goose,' where Ward's various talents come together in a woozy rush of hushed harmonies, sparkling lap steel and Old Hollywood strings.", "With a Moodily Atmospheric Production, Heartbreaking Vocals and Genius Finger-Picking.", 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "His seventh is his most vivid and varied yet, full of exquisite guitar work, gem-like songcraft and inspired covers...", 4 stars out of 5 -- "The album revels in the layers of experience overlaid on life, building up texture, building up meaning, building up songs.", 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "A WASTELAND COMPANION is a reminder that Ward is one of indie music's most capable singer/songwriters....A welcome return to form.", "Vocally, Ward sounds like Paul Simon....Go past the tone of his voice, inhale the poetry, and you'll taste a sweeter, less mordant Leonard Cohen.", 4 stars out of 5 -- "The real wonder here is to be found when he drops a gear into hushed beauty and sun-dappled loveliness."
Additional InformationWard eschews many of the pop tics that colored 2009's Hold Time for meandering folk arrangements, galloping, country-gospel motifs, and Tin Pan Alley nostalgia.