She & Him - Volume One

[2008: Spunk]
This adorable collection of country-tinged folk songs and quirky soulful ballads is the result of the complementary pairing of indie balladeer M. Ward and songwriter/singer Zooey Deschanel – more commonly known for her acting roles (she plays the wilful sister who presses the Simon and Garfunkel record into the hands of William Miller in ‘Almost Famous’). A few covers aside, all the songs were written by Deschanel who has a husky, lilting country tone to her voice that is a perfect match for her wistful, romantic lyrics. Case in point, the opening track ‘Sentimental Heart’ in which she gently croons “piece of the puzzle I’m your missing part. Oh what can you do with a sentimental heart?” – Awww! The arrangements by M. Ward are effective in their simplicity – upright piano, acoustic guitars and a restrained use of strings – that beautifully balance with Deschanel’s effortless voice. Their cover of Smokey Robinson’s blues classic ‘You Really Got a Hold on me’ is a standout, but there is so much to like about this album as a whole. As my grandmother would say, it’s “darling”.

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