Sultry Sixties Pop
Actress Zooey Deschanel allegedly met M.Ward while working on a movie soundtrack, for which they recorded a version of Robert and Linda Thompson's 'When I Get To The Border' together. The pair bonded over a love of old records and the result is a sultry, timeless album that sounds like its leapt straight from the decadent 20's with waltzing melodies and sweeping tunes.
Following the success of Scarlett Johannson's debut album, Deschanel is another actress who does appear to have a genuine love of music and a voice that deserves to be recorded. Unlike Johannson, whose album appealed to indie kids and coffee table listeners alike, She & Him's album is likely to have less of a mainstream appeal with lingering floating tunes like, 'Take It Back' that sound like they should come from a musical, rather than feature on a 21st century pop album. It's somewhat of a relief to see that the star hasn't gone for universal appeal, but stuck to something that she appears to really enjoy singing, and definitely has the smokey vocals for, but I can't see many indie or alternative fans lapping up what's on offer here unless they are very broad minded.
'Change Is Hard' and 'This Is Not A Test' have an airy country feel with a jaunty acoustic guitar rhythm, the former sounding a little like a regretful Dusty Springfield as slide guitars coo away in the background.
There are hints of sixties' girl pop in 'I Was Made For You' with its shimmering beats and cute vocal harmonies that almost evoke a taste of candy on the lips after listening, 'Sentimental Heart' is another of the most straight forward pop tunes with a hint of 60's glamour about the rich vocals. If your heart is melted by sentimental, twee pop, then try, 'Black Hole' for a starter
All of the songs are very well produced and smooth, but they conform defiantly to their genre, which I suppose is something different in an age of indentikit indie singers, but you could equally listen to some classic tunes from the past as, 'Volume One'. As an alternative to the everyday world, She & Him's music will soothe away your worries with gorgeous glossy melodies, just don't expect it to be to everyone's liking.