She & Him – Volume Two
[Merge, 2010]
The examples of singing actors, as well as musicians trying their hand in acting, are not always flattering to the original image in the first place and don’t always play well with their status in our eyes. As for Zooey Deschanel, she looks very organic both as an actress and as a singer. The second album of her musical collaboration with M. Ward only strengthens my platonic love and admiration of her talent. This music is best described in one word: sweet.
Sometimes lonely isn’t sad (on the opening song Thieves) is the primary line of the whole album. It can support you when you’re sad:
Well alright
It’s okay
We all feel ashamed sometimes every day
I just keep it to myself in the sun
It always brings you back to yourself, to a place so comfortable and calm, where rays of sunshine get through your window in the morning, and if the day is grey, a cup of tea and a friendly smile will solve everything.
The second She & Him album is fully in the traditions of their debut. It is about love, about mood, about something warm and close, that flows into your life and naturally curl on your bed like a cat. So that all the misfortunes and bad luck disappear in this mint caramel atmosphere. The 60s are in the air – they match Zooey’s style and the traditions of twee pop and indie pop that got their niche in music since the 80s.
Somewhat different from the rest of the album with a faster pace, Ridin’ In My Car, turns out to be a cover from the 70s by NRBQ, and Gonna Get Along Without You Now is one for Skeeter Davis’ song. A downright buoyancy of Volume Two neigbours with coquetry, easy-going about life’s little things, and belief that everything’s going to be all right after all. This sunshine is what we love about She & Him, and Zooey – for staying a great actress in music too.
Read & Listen:
Official website
Myspace
Pitchfork interview (March 2010)
