With I Don't Hear A Single being noted for reviewing albums that normally rely on melodic riffs or big choruses, no matter what the genre, you may be surprised to learn that Ward White is one of the most popular read artists,
I say surprised, because he's not what you would imagine to be the stand out artist amongst the chiming guitars, but he is. Last Year's The Tender Age Review had over 9,000 views, no mean feat for a Blog that covers just a small corner of the musical world. It was rightly in the Top 10 IDHAS Albums Of The Year.
He keeps getting discovered by new listeners, yet he is no overnight sensation, I make this 14 albums in. He's also not your typical Guitar Pop star, his plummy voice might be expected to be more suited to the white lines of the road and there is an almost Ferry-esque lounge lizard feel to his tones.
But this is intelligent Pop Rock at its finest. Unexpected arrangements, vocal twists and a lyrical adeptness mark him out as an unusual, but saving grace. Every album is as good, if not better than the last and Ice Cream Chords builds on his outstanding reputation,
If anything, this feels even poppier than usual, Lyrically, it as deep as ever, but the instrumentation sounds even more accessible than usual. The new listener generally finds that a Ward White album creeps up on them and then grips them like a vice.
From the moody melancholic Signore to the jaunty Pop Rock of 50,000 Watts ago, this is an album that keeps on giving. Slouch is a wonderful Torch Song, yet Rumors is the nearest White will get to a Pop Song. I've deliberately held back on too many song descriptions, urging you to listen to the album in its entirety. You will be more than glad that you did.
You can listen to and buy the album here. You can find out more about Ward White here,
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