Actress and musician shine in retro-pop debut album
Zooey Deschanel takes the spotlight in collaboration with Matt Ward in ‘Volume One’
Posted on March 20, 2008
It’s not every day that a well-established actor or actress attempts leaving the land of film to show off their musical skills, but Zooey Deschanel’s (“Almost Famous,” “Elf”) first attempt is an impressive try. While she is certainly the star of this album, she isn’t without help. Singer/guitarist Matt Ward is the second half of the She & Him pair, contributing his unique style of guitar and talents behind the scenes including arranging and producing of the album. Ward seems more than happy to let Deschanel steal the show. Despite his acknowledged musical talents (see 2006’s album Post-War), he remains mostly in the background on Volume One, only stepping out to duet with Deschanel on two songs. Drummer Rachel Blumberg and guitarist Mike Coykendall also make appearances on the album.
The topics of Deschanel’s songs – she wrote all but three on the album – range all over the emotional spectrum. The album opens with her lamenting on the problems of remaining sentimental, while later on “Black Hole” she remains upbeat as she sings about riding alone on a bicycle for two. On the optimistic end, there’s a line from “This Is Not a Test” that becomes doubly apropos with the recent onset of spring, that “winters never quit/ but winters never last.”
The album maintains a stylistically uncomplicated feel throughout: a simple rhythm, a twanging guitar and the sound of Deschanel’s voice are often the lone instruments in a song, but despite this the songs rarely ever feel lacking or bare, which is a testament to Ward’s production skills. When Ward comes out of the booth to sing along with Deschanel, the pair really excels; Ward’s gruff voice acts as a perfect foil to Deschanel’s syrupy sweet vocals. Their creative covers of both the Beatles “I Should Have Known Better” and the Miracles “You Really Gotta Hold on Me” show off the strengths of both band members.
Some critics might argue that it is Deschanel’s prior acting career that gives any credence to her fledgling musical one, that without her fame as an actress, her CD would not gather as much attention as it has, but I beg to differ. Sure, some of the album’s flaws can be glossed over on account of cuteness – or maybe I’m just a sucker for things like when she laughs at the beginning of tracks or makes kazoo noises with her mouth – but there really is a standout quality present in Deschanel’s voice. Her songs contain an irresistible and mesmerizing charm that can’t be denied. The surface of her potential seems only scratched at, and with the pair’s album ominously titled Volume One, it’s possible we haven’t heard the last of She & Him.
Tracks to download: “Sentimental Heart,” “Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?”and “You Really Gotta Hold on Me.”
