She & Him - Volume One
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Free Music Notes for Volume One
Free Music Review: Forget the best of 2008, this is one of the greatest of all time.
Hit: 5 Stars
Zooey Deschanel is the best female vocalist alive today, in my opinion. Her voice absolutely carries this album from beginning to end, with an air of innocence that is simply non-existent in almost every other contemporary artist. Even with the vocals aside, these songs are classics because the melodies are TIMELESS. I think you would be hard pressed to tell when this was recorded, through the 60's up through the 00's, unless you already knew. As I've always said, it's all about the production and the arrangement, and they did a fantastic job here. This will sound just as fresh and pleasing forty years from now and beyond, just like any other classic record. Major congratulations to Mr. Ward for this accomplishment. He is obviously the wind in Zooey's sails.
Sentimental Heart: It's clear from the onset that this is going to be a country album, but what kind of classy country music like this is released today? This is a very simple song flown skyward by Zooey's incredible vocals that make you want to believe in romance again.
Why Do You Let Me Stay Here: An epic, rollicking hootenanny that is reminiscent of Mamma & the Pappas style pop that is as catchy as it gets. Listen for the mimicking piano line while she sings "We like the same things and I like your style."
This Is Not A Test: Another epic song, this time conjuring up the sound of the early 70's.
Change Is Hard: This one is slow, but has a stunningly beautiful atmosphere with a pedal steel guitar.
I Thought I Saw Your Face Today: An absolutely brilliant pop song that succeeds on every level, and one that a thousand indie bands have doubtlessly been trying to make over the past ten years.
Take It Back: Very similar to `Change Is Hard', but this one is even more beautiful.
I Was Made For You: 50's doo-wop, so it's love-it or hate-it territory here. As I've been reinterating, Zooey's vocals elevate what could have been very generic material to something wonderful.
You Really Gotta Hold On Me: In my opinion, this album really could've done without the covers, since they rather distract from the other songs, which are classics in their own right. But, you've guessed it, the singing makes this just as good as the others anyway.
Black Hole: Another wonderful, catchy song like the second and fifth ones.
Got Me: This one may be just a little too country for my tastes. Hank Williams-like stuff invoking images of a truck stop in Texas in the early 60's (maybe I'm thinking of the film `Hud'). However,...yeah, that's right.
I Should Have Known Better: See track #8.
Sweet Darlin': The brilliant highlight of the album, with a soaring melody and an amazing beat.
It is obvious to me that this is not only the best album of 2008, but is one of the best of all time. It's like nothing else out there right now, and it was such a pleasant shock to hear. The songs are catchy, memorable, and above all pleasant, and they leave you wanting more.
Free Music Review: Wow; I was immediately floored, stopped listening to it for several months only to pick it up again and...
Hit: 5 Stars
...I cannot stop listening to this album! I could be in the darkest of moods an' these songs just create a tunnel of light for me. It doesn't carve out any perspective on the world's problems for me an' let me tell you I'm GLAD! Its an escape an' a beautiful, engaging, good rockin' fun one at that.
I was driving through a torrential downpour last night here in Charlotte after a day of life that seemed ta pin me down an' humilate me grossly and unjustly. In an atypical, uncharacteristic move since I usually feed my frustrations, I let this album STILL blare from my factory speakers. I couldn't see where I was driving and almost got flood stuck a few times, but I may as well been on vacation it boosted my spirits so much.
Here's my cheesy synopsis of this musical masterpiece... (sorry in advance)
There is not a bad song on this disc, it flows perfectly from front ta back; its sentimental, it stays with you, it tests you, it changes you, even when you try ta take it back, you can't help but fall in love with it again and again! This album was made for me (and you); its got a hold on me, it lifts me outta the black hole of despair. I shoulda known better, but its got me! Swing low like ya do, Zooey, 'cause youse a sweet darlin'!
Free Music Review: Best Since Born to Run????
Hit: 5 Stars
Strange headline, eh? Well, though my favorite artists are Springsteen, The Kinks, and The Rainmakers, I can't get She & Him "Volume One" out of my CD player. It's the first CD since Springsteen's "Born to Run" where I readily liked every song on it -- consider that a high compliment.
I've been entranced by the inventive and very tuneful melodies of the songs She wrote. It took a few listenings, but "Change Is Hard" has emerged by my favorite and most unforgettable song. The tune is just plain very inventive and ultimately captivating. That's not to denigrate the other songs. "I Was Made for You" is a rollicking old time "girl-group" tune. Frankly they're all a joy -- this CD really reminds me of the inventiveness and adventuresomeness of early Linda Ronstadt, post Stone Poneys. And her take on "You Really Got a Hold on Me" is smoking (the live versions on YouTube are kind of the "hot" variety).
All in all, a sheer joy of memorable and inventive tunes with lyrics that don't insult your intelligence. Not for everybody's taste, but certainly able to appeal to a broad spectrum of musical tastes.
Free Music Review: What a Surprise!
Hit: 5 Stars
I really adore Zooey Deschanel's acting. Now, I have only seen two movies that she has been in (Failure to Launch & Tin Man) but in both films, she is superb. In Failure to Launch she is just a supporting character, but she steals the show (along with Terry Bradshaw). And I love her facial expressions in Tin Man.
OK, enough about that. At first listen I didn't care much for this CD. I was very disappointed when I sampled it on iTunes. But for some reason, I just kept getting drawn back to listen again and again. Probably about my fourth listen I was hooked. I can't explain it, but there is just something about this CD that grows on you.
It reminds me of Napoleon Dynamite. When I first watched it, I thought, "It's OK." But after watching it, as the week went on, I started thinking about it and thought, "Man, that movie was really funny!" This CD is kind of like that (at least for me) Only instead of "funny" it is just really good music. I hope to hear more from She & Him in the future (or even just Zooey by herself).
Free Music Review: Unexpected and enjoyable
Hit: 5 Stars
I originally heard this playing in a store in Dublin, and I liked it so much that I stayed in the store extra long so I could listen to the 60s/70s soft gospel sound. Upon obtaining the band name from the kind cashier, I immediately ran home and bought it. . . it wasn't until I actually looked up the band I realized Zooey Deschanel was the vocalist. Being a fan of Douglas Adams (the role that I first knew her from was Trillian), I could appreciate the multitalent that she has, and the combination of her talent with that M. Ward is an absolutely brilliant pairing.
I've listened to it straight for over a week of wet, rainy walking and boring lectures, and I'm still not bored of it. Quite the contrary, actually. I like it more every time I listen to it. Even if you don't listen to it for the rest of your life, it will make at least week of it better. Honestly, I think that alone is worth it. This is a CD I'd recommend to anyone who likes music that is enjoyable and uncomplicated (re: not political or full of hidden messages).