Track Listing

1. To Go Home
2. Cosmopolitan Pap
3. Human Punching Bag
4. Headed for a Fall

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #70634 in Music
• Released on: 2007-02-20
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Single
• Dimensions: .12 pounds

Amazon.com
"Stopgap" EPs tend to be strictly for fans--seeing as they're released in-between albums with one song you already have and a few you don't, (and one of the new songs will likely later appear on the new album) it can be tough to recommend them. But this here is one splendid release despite its mere fourteen and a half minutes; or maybe we should say because of then? The centerpiece is of course "To Go Home," one of the best songs from the Post War album, a cover of the Daniel Johnston tune featuring Neko Case. Ward's version almost improves on the original by making it a mid-tempo rocker (a great rarity for Daniel covers, the majority of which are exercises in an annoying, "gee this crazy guy's songs sure sound better when played by me in my fancy studio don't they" pedantry). The EP's other cover, Jimmy Dale Gilmore's "Headed for a Fall," with Nels Cline and Neko joining in, is further proof that the smoky-voiced, bleary-eyed strummer never sounds better than when aided and abetted by a large ensemble. "Cosmopolitan Pap" is a sweet little honky-tonk genre exercise, while "Human Punching Bag" is a lovely, melancholic, piano-driven number with lots of echo on the drums and vocals. It sounds very Basement Tapes-y and it nicely rounds out this eclectic, smart little record. --Mike McGonigal

Customer Reviews

american genius singer songwriter
M Ward stands a head and shoulders above everybody else. He writes songs that both mirror the heartbreak found in this world and transcend at the same time. His musicianship is phenominal, if you think Ray Lamontagne is good try M Ward he leaves him in the dust. Live he shatters everything around him. Outstanding.

HOLY @#$%!
The title track itself I already had, but the three bonus tracks are a music I have never heard. Absolutely splendid!!

Fun, Short, An EP
I bought this when I saw him at the Orange Peel in Asheville, and got it autographed. He is so shy, but so down to earth and easy to talk to. Anyways, this has To go home obviously, which is awesome in it's own right. Human Punching bag is good; very witty as usual. I think my favorite (aside from to go home) is Cosmopolitan Pap. I'd recommend this if you've already got Post War, but otherwise, I'd say get that first.
Also, the cover is really cool and creeps me out, but I like it for the same reason I like Wilco's "Via Chicago," if that makes sense.