Word: deschanell
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...really catchy, but that is not necessarily a compliment. The indie-pop side project of actress Zooey Deschanel and musician M. Ward produce winsome and memorable tunes, but these tunes lack substance. The duo’s sophomore album, “Volume Two,” is a solid release, with pretty, bittersweet melodies, but the music breaks no emotional or musical barriers. Sticking to pathos with a smile, it offers very limited rewards...
...their preceding “Volume One,” Deschanel sings, composes, and plays banjo and piano while Ward contributes production, backup vocals, and guitar playing. But listening to their music, the group sounds a lot more “She” than “Him,” Deschanel’s sound and outlook dominate the tracks...
...Volume Two” is chock full of pretty songs, but few of them truly stand out on their own. One exception is opening track “Thieves.” This cut sets the swingy, retro feel of the album, as Deschanel sings seemingly frivolous, yet insightful lyrics—”We two are makers, just made this mess / Two broken hearts don’t beat any less.” The sadness that comes through here marks one of the few moments of real emotion on the album...
...actual experiences. “Me and You,” a melancholy yet slightly upbeat song featuring poignant strings and steel guitar picking is one such example. It takes the song’s narrator out of the picture, and focuses on an abstract subject, with Deschanel urging, “You’ve got to be kind to yourself.” Coming from a movie star with a successful musical career, this feels distinctly emotionally condescending...
...complacency of most of the album is Deschanel’s voice, She & Him’s undoubted strength. Her vocals vary between soulful, childlike, and ethereal. Her voice adds enormously to the charm of otherwise run-of-the-mill songs. This is especially evident on the Ward and Deschanel duet “Ridin’ in My Car.” The song is typical She & Him: twangy harmonies deliver a bittersweet message of a lost summer love, matched with an upbeat poppy melody. But Ward’s voice fails to match Deschanel’s richness...