She & Him Volume One Review
Actress Zooey Deschanel and Indie Producer M. Ward Release Debut CD
Actress/musician Zooey Deschanel and Indie Rock artist/producer M.Ward team up as She & Him and release their first album, Volume One.
Actress Zooey Deschanel may be best known for her roles in films such as “Elf” (2003), “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” (2005) and “Failure to Launch” (2006), but Deschanel proves that acting isn’t her only talent with the release of her debut album She & Him Volume One (Merge Records, 2008). She & Him, Deschanel’s collaboration with fellow musician M. Ward, combines classic harmonies, melodic vocals and a refreshing dose of Indie pop.
Deschanel Fronts, Backed by Classic Ward
starts with the appropriately named track “Sentimental Heart,” a smooth vocally driven ballad. The track is just that—sentimental, but not sappy. The strong lead vocals by Deschanel continue throughout the album, with Ward’s backup vocals on some tracks.
Volume One
Deschanel also contributes keys and xylophone, while Ward plays a variety of instruments on the recording.
The mellow sound of tracks like “Sentimental Heart” might catch the attention of Ward fans. Other tracks, like the Beatle’s cover “Should Have Known Better,” wouldn’t seem out of place on most of Ward’s previous releases.
Indie Meets Country-Pop
The album also ventures into pop territory, but it never abandons the Indie feel. “Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?” contains the ever-so catchy lines “Why don’t you sit right down and stay awhile?/ We like the same things and I like your style/ It’s not a secret, why don’t you keep it?/ I’m just sitting on the shelf.”
Other tracks have county-pop sounds reminiscent of Patsy Cline. Deschanel’s vocals have also been compared to those of Carly Simon and Linda Ronstadt (Rolling Stone, March 2008.) In “Change is Hard” Deschanel showcases her vocal range with melancholy lyrics like “I listened when they when they told me, if he burns you let him go/ Change is hard/ I should know.” Ward’s addition of slide guitar gives the track that extra western twang.
Creative Chemistry in Writing and Production
With the exception of the previously mentioned Beatle’s cover and a soulful rendition of Smokey Robinson’s “You Really Got a Hold on Me,” Deschanel wrote or co-wrote every song on the album. She shares writing credits with actor and musician Jason Schwartzman on the final track, “Sweet Darlin’.”
Fans of Ward albums such as “End of Amnesia” (2001) and “Transfiguration of Vincent” (2003) can appreciate the similar, though sometimes softer, sounds of She & Him. According to Merge Records, “Ward’s unique arrangements and virtuostic guitar playing paired with Deschanel’s affinity for vocal harmony give Volume One its characteristic sound.”
Those who enjoy Indie artists like Rilo Kiley and Cat Power will love this album, in part, thanks to Deschanel’s melodic, feminine voice
Although the tracks range from cute pop to country twang and from mellow light sounds to heartfelt emotion, the tracks flow smoothly across the album. Volume One, produced by Ward, is pulled together, but still offers variety.
