Generally, it's a good idea to be wary of actors who make pop albums, but every rule has at least one exception, and She and Him's VOLUME ONE is an unfettered delight. A collaboration between actress Zooey Deschanel (ALMOST FAMOUS, ELF) and prolific indie-folk musician M. Ward, She and Him is not merely a case of a cult musician using a more famous name as an entrée into the musical mainstream: in fact, Deschanel is the primary songwriter here and sings all the lead vocals barring a pair of duets, and she scores impressively on both fronts.
Deschanel turns out to be a gifted pop songwriter with a knack for penning crisp 1960s-style pop songs like the glorious first single, "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?" and singing them in a flirty, country-inflected style that recalls the likes of Jackie DeShannon and early Linda Ronstadt. Ward and an all-star band of fellow Portland, Oregon, indie-ites, including the Decemberists' Rachel Blumberg on drums, set Deschanel's songs and vocals in arrangements perfectly balanced between Phil Spector bombast and indie-rock cool. The entire album is a joyous, enchanting listen.
Audio Mixers: Mike Coykendall; Mike Mogis.
Recording information: ARC, Omaha, NE (2006-2007); Blue Rooms, Portland, OR (2006-2007); Type Foundry, Portland, OR (2006-2007).
She & Him: M. Ward (vocals, guitar, guitars, slide guitar, keyboards, electric bass); Zooey Deschanel (vocals, piano, keyboards, xylophone, percussion); Mike Coykendall (guitar, guitars, electric bass, percussion); Paul Brainerd (steel guitar); Tom Hagerman (strings); Rachel Blumberg (percussion).
Personnel: Mike Mogis (steel guitar, percussion); Paul Brainard (steel guitar); Peter Broderick (strings); Adam Selzer (percussion).
Rolling Stone (p.64) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "Together they pose as a great lost Seventies AM-gold couple. Their acoustic vibe conjures up a time-travel fantasy of key parties, hot tubs and Chablis-crazed groping behind the spider plants." Spin (p.102) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "[T]he best songs offer a tasty blend of desire and innocence reminiscent of classic girl groups. 'Sweet Darlin',' in particular, will brighten anyone's gloomiest mood." Q (Magazine) (p.143) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[B]eguiling....It feels as if they are making music for the sheer pleasure of it, and it's this that proves the record's abiding charm." Mojo (Publisher) (p.102) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[B]eautifully simple love songs delivered with a summer-scented voice that echoes Karen Carpenter one minute, Linda Ronstadt or Peggy Lee the next."
awesome debut very cute album. i love it. Submitted by Kim (NY, NY) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 1 found this helpful.
Great CD This CD is very good. It has a varity of music. It has country, 50's rock, and big band crooning. Submitted by d.a.petersen (Arvada, CO) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
This Is A Beautiful Album I bought this album not knowing what to expect. Boy was I pleasantly surprised. This is such a good record. Zooey has such a beautiful voice. The songs are written very well and are also catchy.
Fav songs are: Sentimental Heart; Why Do You Let Me Stay here?; This Is Not A Test; I Thought I Saw Your Face Today; You Really Got A Hold Of Me, but I listen to the whole record from beginning to end.
Very much looking forward to Vol 2.
Submitted by Phillip (Edmonton, AB) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 1 found this helpful. This review is for a different format.
awesome debut
Great CD
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