Review: She & Him - Volume Two

Isn't it just wonderful when people who can act can also sing? And better yet, isn't it just as wonderful when said actor perfectly transitions their charm and appealing nature they exude on screen into peaceful and pleasant little pop ditties about grown up things like... love?

She & Him is a duo consisted of actress Zooey Deschanel ("(5oo) Days of Summer"), and singer-songwriter M. Ward. Their 2008 debut, titled Volume One, a collection of happy go lucky folk tunes, was a candy coated treat for the Starbucks crowd - and people who have seen "Elf" way too many times.

The twosome have returned with their follow up album - aptly titled Volume Two. 


The thing you have to remember about the "hip indie" crowd is the fact they are easily fooled. "Oh look! This band has that one girl from that one movie I liked because it wasn't seen by a lot of people! I think I like this band!" Many had this internal conversation regarding this pair. She & Him exist for the sole purpose of cashing in on that "individual yet quirky" movement that is the current fad.

Not to take away from their tunes. They have talent and know how to work with melodies.Deshanel even does a fairly good job of sounding like a Yankee Loretta Lynn. The material offered here is more or less about the same thing. Fluffy, compact and precise musings on relationships abound from start to finish. Sure the songs are sweet and "purdy", but they are also insipid and forgettable.

Keep in mind this is music made by someone married to the guy from Death Cab For Cutie and played a character who thought that liking Ringo Starr more than any other Beatle made her an individual. I know this review may be terse but what else is there to write about when this band's motto is "What you see is what you get: Very little."

Grade: C-

Key Tracks: "Home", "Gonna Get Along Without You Now"