M. Ward released his new album, 'Hold Time,' this week, and it's not a bad way to start off the a new year, given his prolific activity in 2008. Ward's collaboration with actress/singer Zooey Deschanel, She and Him, was a staple on many critics' top-ten lists, as well as a fan favorite. Ward isn't giving up many details on the status of She and Him's sophomore release, though. He tells Spinner that the loose target date is sometime in 2010, as they're only in the demo stage, "but it's gonna be very, very good." We'll take his word for it.

Meanwhile, Ward is focusing on his own efforts. "['Hold Time'] comes from the belief that music is a better way to capture time for me than any of the other millions of ways," he tells Spinner of the album's inspiration. The effort features a variety of guest vocalists, including Ms. Deschanel, ex-Grandaddy frontman Jason Lytle and Lucinda Williams. "During the production of [the song] 'Oh Lonesome Me,' I started hearing [Lucinda's] voice ... so we decided to ask her," he says. He also explains that he and Lytle have been friends for many years. "His music has also been a great inspiration growing up."

Writing the new record required a bit of effort on Ward's part. "The writing process for every record I've made is stretched out over weeks, months and years and years," he says. But working with Bright Eyes producer/band member Mike Mogis certainly helped the process along. "Mike is an incredible musician and engineer with an incredible ability to hear details," he says. "He hears things most of us can't -- he's like a wild animal."

Ward will be on tour throughout late February and early March in support of the new record.