M. Ward , A Wasteland Companion, 2012 on Merge.

M. Ward’s 7th studio album, including a cover of Daniel Johnston’s “Sweetheart.” He’s joined by Mike Coykendall, Mike Mogis, Jordan Hudson, Adam Selzer and others, including vocals from Zooey Deschanel. M. Ward produced.

I just love M. Ward’s voice and his approach to songwriting and production – across his solo work and She & Him. (No, the “Me and My Shadow” is not the Irving Berlin/Al Jolson tune but a new song).

My copy—via Magnolia Record Club—is a signed 2024 reissue on metallic swirl vinyl with lacquer cut at Chicago Mastering Service by Jason Ward.

Peter Buck, Warzone Earth, 2015 on Mississippi Records

This is the third solo album from the former R.E.M. guitarist, all on Portland OR’s Mississippi Records. Frequent Buck collaborators present here include Scott McCaughey, Kurt Bloch, and William Rieflin. Buck’s wife Chloe Johnson adds harmony vocals on “Saturday Sunday Monday” and Jeff Tweedy guests on “World Spins Around You.”

It’s a mixed bag – I love Peter Buck but sometimes think he needs an editing eye – but some great stuff.

Recorded at Type Foundry in Portland by Adam Selzer.

My copy, with the “Helicopter” cover, via Crossroads Records in Portland OR – there’s also a version with a “Car” cover.

#2010s #2015 #AdamSelzer #CrossroadsRecords #MississippiRecords #PeterBuck #PortlandOR #TheLoft #TypeFoundry #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds