Mike Ward: Psychosongs – The Time That Remains
Mike Ward: Psychosongs has a new album The Time That Remains. With a stage name like “Psychosongs,” you might expect something more frenetic and possibly punk or power pop than what you’ll find when you press play on this thoughtful folk album. Learning that Mike hails from Detroit, you might again wonder what style of music is inside. So press play and you’ll quickly find that this is contemporary folk music firmly rooted in the tradition, sincerely presented, and intelligently written.
As the title suggests, the songs are nostalgic at times but the main thread of the album is to herald the deep benefits of being kind, being connected to nature and to others, and laying down the yokes of daily drama, daily fear, daily triggered reactionary thinking and hurtful actions, in favor of centering yourself on choosing a more loving disposition.
“Why Not” opens with a chimes sound and poses the question “Why not do some good today with the time that we’ve got? Why not conquer fear today before it’s way too late?” and the chillingly, and unfortunately, relevant “Why not stop a war today before our time is up.” Dear god, yes. The harmonies are perfect and at time, delivered a cappella, adding a sacred quality in a song whose time is right now.
In “Instrument For Good” we are treated to excellent acoustic guitar work and Mike’s vocals are authentic and a little bit dusty in the best way. It’s an ode to a relationship with an old guitar and the way writing songs can bring folks together, call out injustice, change a few minds, and make a person an instrument for good. “Paycheck” is about working for that first paycheck that was a little bit lighter than you might have hoped.
“Ride of Their Lives” is a youthful first love song, about Ronnie and Connie and their high school love that started on a ride at the carnival. And the unfolding of how life turned out, on the “ride of their lives.” “Paul” tells a song of teenage boy with his future unfolding brightly ahead, the songwriter’s brother, and then a dangerous ride in a Ford Mustang without a seatbelt, and it takes a sorrowful turn: the life that vanished in an unfathomable moment. This is played with deft finger work on the acoustic guitar.
“Pet Peeves” lifts the mood a bit, with bright instruments – acoustic guitar and mandolin – in melodious runs, shaker, and easy harmonies. “Left to Ourselves” is a hopeful song that suggests that we can survive by choosing kindness over cruelty, despite the fact that we have been left to ourselves without clear rules. It’s another song that’s timely and relevant.
Strings and acoustic guitar buoy the songs adeptly and gently on the album’s 12 original folk songs. Find more details here on his website: https://www.psychosongs.com and find the music here: https://linktr.ee/psychosongs
Musicians on The Time That Remains are Mike Ward on acoustic guitar and lead vocals; David Roof on bass, electric guitar, percussion, pump organ, piano and 2nd acoustic guitar; Sara Gibson on cello; Jason Dennie on mandolin; Emily Slomovits on violin and backing vocals; Larry LaBeck on pedal steel; with Annie Bacon, Judy Brown, Kate Hinote, Michelle Held and Emilia Ward on backing vocals.
The Time That Remains was produced, engineered, mixed & mastered by David Roof. Songs were recorded at Rooftop Recordings in Grand Blanc, MI; at Willis Sound in Willis, MI; and at Old Main Recording Studio at Wayne State University in Detroit. Cover photo was taken by Steven Glynn. Cover concept and design was by Max Cullen.