She and Him Vol I.

Most people usually dread the yearly albums mass produced by the greedy movie stars turned singers. However, the little Santa’s helper, Zooey Deschanel from the film Elf recently released an album that is as sweet as she is. The little pixie is apart of the two member group She & Him with singer/songwriter M.Ward. She & Him released their self-titled, “She & Him: Vol. 1” in March and every song is a throwback to 50’s pop. Zooey sings about heartache like an innocent 15 year old girl whose heart could get broken a thousand times, and she would still come knocking for more.
The opening title, “Sentimental Heart” is a charming introduction to a new band and it hastily shuts up any critics afraid that She & Him is just more movie star to singer album fluff. “Sentimental heart” begins like a lullaby and as soon Zooey opens her mouth she sings the poignant lyrics with such clarity. “Cried all night till there was nothing left, what use am I as a heap on the floor? Oh what can you do with a sentimental heart”? “Sentimental Heart” begins with Zooey singing timidly as if she has been crying all night, over a single piano, and as the song evolves horns and background vocals add to the melancholy. Ironically, the song is adorable, and as depressing as each and every word is, it is also extremely catchy and will be an album favorite.
The next track “Why do you let me stay here” is playful and upbeat. The lyrics are irresistible and although it almost sounds like she is whining through it, it is the perfect song that harkens the feelings of begging for a lover’s attention. At one point Zooey blatantly moans “You make me feel like I am just a child”. The whole song sounds like a nursery rhyme bouncing around between fanciful and light melodies.
“Change is hard”, and “You got me” are the official country tracks on the album and they both have the “I done him wrong” twang in every syllable. The album is not without a few slow lounge ballads, fully equipped with whistling backgrounds and M.Ward singing background vocals for Zooey. The 1962 Miracles “You really got a hold on me” is the eighth track on the album, and every other song fits so well in that generation, you almost forget it’s a cover. M.Ward almost never sings on the album, but when he does his raspy vocals pair up against Zooey’s strong country flair making for a unique arrangement of indie, country-folk confusion. Especially, on “I should have known better” which begins with Zooey singing over classic country rifts, there is a clear lean to country although Zooey’s strong voice beats with a soul that is lacking in most country stars, M.Ward takes it to a completely different place. He brings a sexier sound to the music that Zooey may be incapable of bringing and leaves a hint of funk while he’s at it.
The 13 track album will bring every listener into a time warp; music just simply isn’t made like this anymore. She & Him takes the simple heartache lyrics from country and puts it’s over a piano blues and folk guitar. The mix taste like cotton-candy on a rainy day and makes it nearly impossible not to clap your hands and wish for the old days when every heartbreak was relished, every kiss stopped time, and love was simply enough.