The moment the opening song “Thieves” pours out of the stereo, it is pretty clear what Volume Two, the second album by She & Him, is trying to achieve. The production has a distinctly retro-vibe which recalls Spector-produced girl group ballads of the early 1960s; this style is fully confirmed once the harmonies come in to support the chorus’ simple yet effective refrain:
“…And I know, and you know too
That love like ours is terrible news
But that won’t stop me crying
No, that won’t stop me crying over you”
M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel succeed for the second time in creating a record which is familiar without being tiresome and catchy without being detached: Deschanel is able to use the pop-song format to express genuine emotion. The record’s only flaw lies in the deception of its delivery. The genre-based songwriting can sometimes feel like a gimmick which has the astounding ability of wiping-out any semblance of emotional resonance which the songs may otherwise create.
Zooey Deschanel, against all odds, succeeds as a singer. I find her lower range preferable to her higher one but both are always listenable and, more often than not, effectual. Often, actors turned musicians tend to rely fairly heavily on the studio to support their performance and this plays a major role in the homogeny of most of their vocal performances. Deschanel, on the other hand, has a presence on this album which brings each one of the songs a distinctive personality. When you hear a song by She & Him, you can immediately tell that it is a song by She & Him.
M. Ward keeps things interesting throughout the album. He is credited as a producer which is impressive considering that the lush arrangements which populate Volume Two share little in common with the sparse ramshackle charm of Ward’s own recordings; I suspect that his presence is deeper than that which he is credited for. Each song explores a slightly different style which keeps the listener engaged and it is done in such a way that the uniformity of the album-format is never sacrificed.
I believe that given the right marketing vehicle, this album could be a hit across many demographics. If it was the soundtrack to a film rather than a stand-alone album, it might be able to gain the attention it deserves and become a best –seller. Unfortunately, a release from Merge Records (though they are one of the most respected indie labels), does not draw the same interest .
If you are looking for a new album which can easily adapt to the listening habits of a varied audience, there are not many good choices out there today and Volume Two by She & Him may be the best option you have. For this you should be thankful because It is a solid album which deserves to be heard and enjoyed.
