This past weekend I watched the video for this rare performance roughly a dozen times as it did to me what I’m sure it has done to countless indie rock nerds by this point in time, it stunned me. That being said the song didn’t stun me, as much of it is memorized by now, and I’m not sure that it’s even the best television performance of the song (Letterman), but there is an intangible effect that accompanies the cast of players that are found making the assist. Neko Case, Jim James and Kelly Hogan offer a comforting feeling that isn’t necessarily felt with the original; though it would be tragic to describe M. Ward’s music as uncomfortable, wouldn’t it? Enjoy, and think about what it is that’s really at the core of the performance’s beauty.

(Official) (MySpace) (Wikipedia)

Also: (M. Ward on the Late Show with David Letterman)