Duet for Guitars #2
M. Ward · 1999
40 min · 16 tracks · folk music
A tapestry of intricate guitar melodies interwoven with introspective lyrics that evoke a sense of quiet wonder.
Top tracks — play these first
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Beautiful Car — This track features a lush arrangement and thoughtful lyrics that encapsulate the album's blend of simplicity and depth, highlighting Ward's storytelling ability.
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Fishing Boat Song — With its concise structure and vivid imagery, this song exemplifies Ward's knack for crafting evocative narratives within brief musical moments.
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I'll Be Yr Bird — This track showcases an emotional vulnerability and melodic sweetness that resonates deeply, becoming a standout moment on the record.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases intricate guitar work and introspective lyrics, establishing M. Ward's unique voice in indie folk.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of fingerpicked guitar melodies that create a layered texture across most tracks.
- Several songs employ a call-and-response structure between the vocals and guitar, enhancing the conversational feel of the music.
- The last three tracks slow down significantly, creating a reflective mood that contrasts with the more upbeat earlier songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady pacing for quiet moments
- introspective melodies for reflection
- delicate fingerpicking for focus
- short tracks for quick listens
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy tracks
- prefer longer, expansive pieces
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1999, Duet for Guitars #2 was M. Ward's first studio album, marking his entry into the indie folk scene after gaining initial attention through various collaborations and performances. This debut established him as a significant voice in the genre, showcasing his distinctive guitar work and lyrical depth at the outset of his career.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Iron & Wine· Sufjan Stevens· Nick Drake
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Duet for Guitars #2 2:05
- 2 Beautiful Car 2:37
- 3 Fishing Boat Song 1:43
- 4 Scene From #12 2:51
- 5 Good News 3:13
- 6 The Crooked Spine 1:37
- 7 Look Me Over 4:08
- 8 Who May Be Lazy 3:06
- 9 It Won't Happen Twice 2:46
- 10 He Asked Me to Be a Snake & Live Underground 1:19
- 11 Song From Debby's Stairs 3:20
- 12 It Was a Beautiful Car 1:06
- 13 Were You There? 2:37
- 14 I'll Be Yr Bird 2:51
- 15 Not a Gang 2:34
- 16 Duet for Guitars #1 2:14
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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