Goddamn. Zooey Deschanel is so adorable.
There, now it’s out of the way.
What a surprisingly delightful album this is. It’s another viable entry into that retro-pop trend of this past year, but wrapped in an unassuming package from a few unlikely sources: first off, Zooey is a fine singer who holds her own in the idioms of alt-country, rock ‘n’ roll and lounge jazz. Usually, these three styles shouldn’t coalesce quite so nicely on a single record, but thanks to the production of indie mainstay M. Ward as well as mixing and arrangement by frequent Bright Eyes collaborator Mike Mogis, the record has a perfectly understated feel that allows Deschanel’s folksy charm to shine through regardless of the style. Part of this charm (as well as the understatement that complements it) is the lack of polish throughout the tracks. Deschanel isn’t pitch-perfect, but she more than compensates in her authenticity: she absolutely sells every word. Don’t believe me? You may wince at parts of “I Was Made For You,” but you’ll end up smiling regardless. Many of the instrumental contributions, despite their sometimes-sparse arrangements, lack the sheen of a typical big-budget record and remind you that you’re simply listening to good music, which is a refreshing deviation from the “actress-cum-singer” move. Writing your own songs helps, too – “Change Is Hard,” “Sentimental Heart” and “Black Hole” especially showcase Deschanel’s prowess as exploited by the talented M. Ward.
Looking forward to Volume Two.
Overall: 8/10
[...] so prevalent lately – essentially, this is what M. Ward was probably shooting for with the She & Him album. Tracyanne Campbell’s delicate vocals are tastefully coated in reverb, like she and her band [...]