The very busy M. Ward's latest is "A Wasteland Companion" and it's on Merge Records. Made it a point to see Ward at Coachella this year where he had moments of transcendent brilliance, then turned so-so, just as we all do. He's like this pop rock guy for the new millennium on top of his game throughout this one, keeping it simple on songs such as "Primitive Girl," which will live in your head for daze much like the brief but wild speeding ticket-inducing guitar solo on "Me and My Shadow." The slow mo blues rock from the title tune will make you fan if you aren't already and besides all that, Ward is a top notch guitar player. This one will make most Year End lists.