She & Him - Volume One
So after reading the post SXSW fallout, I noticed a commonality amongst all the reviews- She and Him. Hmmm, She. And. Him. Sounds indie, playful but not altogether too loathsome as is the case with FAR too many indie bands these days ( see !!!, Shout out out out out, F&*k Buttons, etc...) and not only that but there's only two people in this band so more points for not trying to be ironic with the name. The duo features the talents of first time recording artist and screen darling Zooey Deschanel (Almost Famous, Elf, Hitchhikers guide to...) and indie scene veteran M. Ward (Matt to his friends) as the musical backbone as well as filling the shoes of producer.
Wow. Just wow... This is the first really great record of 2008 as the shivers down my spine can attest to. Smoky bar room jazz, 50's rock and roll, Alt-Country tinged licks, a full countrified Beatles cover and a completely awesome version Swing Low Sweet Chariot are just a few of the thematic swings this album takes at you and does it all with surprising little ego or pretension. M. Ward has masterfully assimilated (paid homage to) a wonderful cross section of american music in one fell swoop, all laced with the superb vocals of Ms. Deschanel who at times reminds me of Patsy Cline and Rumours-era Stevie Nicks. M's arrangements provide the best example of this works lack of ego as they're simple, well balanced and let Deschanel do what she does very very well.
Overall, two large thumbs way up...and here's a few tracks to chew on until you quit what you're doing and go and buy that album from iTunes.
She & Him - Why do you let me stay here.mp3
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