Warning fellow cynical citizens: Ideals and charisma are themes abounding on this album. Although … that’s not exactly a fault, and it is consistent with Matt Ward’s optimistic, energetic acoustic style. The local six-track debut project has a casual sound a bit like the indie band Dispatch, with Directions definitely a standout. Some lyrics have an entertainingly honest quality, like “I had a bit of prepared small talk / But only enough for a 10-second walk,” and “Use a pink highlighter so I can see clearly / Those yellow highlighters never really did it for me.” But others, like “We’ll be together forever / She’s so hot / Oh, why not” and “O The damsel in distress” do more to coax my skepticism than gain respect. That aside, Matt Ward gives an upbeat, thoughtful and diverse work that’s worth a good listen. See him live Saturday, Oct. 17 at the Pyramid.

Published in Volume 64, Number 7 of The Uniter (October 15, 2009)