Thursday, January 16, 2014

DAVID WARD: "Golden Future Time"

Rating: RRRRr
Label: GFR/Prescription 2014
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom

Major wow factor! Kick-ass falsetto/tenor vocals similar to Jeff Buckley (RIP) only with the warm tender touch of Philly and the sonic mixture of Art-Rock, Prog-Rock, R&B/Soul, singer/songwriter and electronica. Daring, different, and definitely outside the box. David Ward from Vancouver, Canada, has created an exciting playground for his imagination and versatility to basically run wild across the field.

Intelligent, diverse and capable of both great songwriting as well as top notch vocals in the higher range of the scale. In fact, there is so much going on in his two-part seven track album (also on vinyl) that I'm actually lost for words and not quite sure where to begin? Side A of the very ambitious work of Ward mixes Art-Pop and Prog Rock complexity with meditative synths, singer/songwriter and cabaret influences with the psychedelic leanings of Pink Floyd? Side B, on the other hand, takes us into a new dimension of R&B harmonies, '70s soul guitar spank and vintage synthesizers.

Indeed. One minute you're listening to complex jazzy 7/4 arrangements of Prog and Art-Rock (Slowly Through The Night, Lost). The next it's Leonard Cohen and Jeff Buckley (Ghost In The Woods), only to once again change direction into smashing vintage R&B/Soul (late 70's) and the inspiration of especially Michael Jackson and also Stevie Wonder (Be Here, Golden Future Time, Bird in The Hand).

Not to mention the closing track of "Fly", which comes out swinging with the incredible powerful hook and summer funk radio vibe 'ala Bruno Mars. It's a magical wonder-land and everything is possible as long as you believe. The overall theme and common thread is however quality. Ward's future is so bright that you need to wear shades while listening to Golden Future Time. Release date: February 24th.
www.davidwardmusic.com
www.facebook.com/davidwardmusic

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