Zooey Deschanel may have debuted her beautiful singing voice with her rendition of “Baby It’s Cold Outside” in the hit movie Elf, but it has never sounded better than in She & Him’s sophomore release “Volume Two.”
Volume Two, She & Him's sophomore release.
Deschanel and modern folk music cult sensation M. Ward have teamed up once again to prove Deschanel is not just another actor trying out a career in music, but few can argue that she has truly earned her spot behind the microphone.
“Volume Two” evokes the same feel-good emotions as much of the great music from the late 50’s and 60’s with Deschanel’s sultry, yet playful, crooning and Ward’s almost Brian Wilson-esque songwriting and musicianship as the two build on the success of their first album, “Volume One.”
Songs about love and love she never needed anyway will cause listeners to grin and sing along as Deschanel vows she’s “Gonna Get Along Without You Now.” The foot-tapping first single, “In the Sun,” will surely sound from many car stereos and out through open windows through the spring and summer.
Other highlights include the opening track: “Thieves,” that may as well be a classic The Mamas & the Papas’ hit, the NRBQ cover “Ridin’ In My Car” (for which Ward offers one of his few vocal performances on the album), “Lingering Still” one of several songs that remind of The Ronettes (of “Be My Baby” fame), one of the slower ballads on the album “Brand New Shoes,” and what stands out as a personal favorite, “Me and You.”
This only being She & Him’s second album shows a great deal of promise for the doo-wop duo’s future endeavors, but, until “Volume Three” arrives, most listeners will be more happy just to keep on singing and dancing along to “Volume Two.”