One of the more peculiar bits of music news to come out of April 2007 was that “Almost Famous” and “Elf” actress Zooey Deschanel had apparently hit it off with indie-folk troubadour M. Ward to the point that they were forming a side project to their respectable careers. The music scene’s reaction at the time was something along the lines of: “M. Ward’s collaborating with who? Elf’s girlfriend?” Now, it appears that She & Him’s debut album, “Volume One,” may be 2008’s most pleasant surprise, as well as the most pleasant-sounding album of the year thus far, a throwback to early 1960s production and “pop meets old-school country” songwriting, with the sheen of heavy reverb and steel guitar. Ward may be the seasoned indie veteran, but he wisely steps back to let Deschanel flirt and charm the pants off the listener, her voice and attitude perfectly emulating the cocky and cute girl-next-door that made those old love songs so easy to enjoy and consume. (Andy Seifert)
Cool Aid: A Review of Situation Chicago 2 The album does an outstanding job of bringing home the staggering sonic and stylistic range we deny ourselves when we return too often to the same genre well.
