M. Ward "The Transfiguration of Vincent" (2003)

In 2003, M Ward was already tuned in to the mystical.  We can see simply from the title of this album, "transfiguration" referring to Catholic believe in the mystical change in Christ, and "Vincent" being so evocative of Vincent Van Gogh, whose work implies the luminous nature of the divine.

As you might expect from an early work, this is not as fully formed as Ward's later albums, but the pieces are all in place.  Pop influenced folk songs (or is it folk influenced pop songs?) seem to filter in from some other place.