She & Him - "Volume Two"
There is something to be said for just calmly doing your work. On both of their releases - Volume One and Volume Two - the post modern duo has made this musical statement without frivolity. The musical arrangements are simple: almost basic; the singing offers crystal clear delivery without any fancy vocal tricks thrown in. Such ease and directness could make one almost dismissive of these efforts. A huge mistake, of course because simplicity of approach does not mean a lack of complexity in emotion.
M. Ward (Him) and Zooey Deschanel (She) are not flashy people. M. Ward is sort of a brilliant music geek who can play like no body’s business but doesn’t care for the trappings of fame. Zooey Deschanel is the actress with the sweet and open face who delivers solid theatrical performances but her personal life isn’t the kind you’re going to find exposed by Perez Hilton or TMZ because of something unseemly. There is something to be said for creating whimsical, tranquil indie rock with a sort of anonymity: their personalities don’t get in the way of the music. It is important to draw a distinction here. Merely because their personalities don’t overwhelm their band’s efforts, that isn’t the same as saying their music has no character. The music definitely has character. Its appeal, however, is not easily defined.
There is also something to be said for finding something that works and sticking with it. Volume Two - while not a simply rework or repeat of Volume One - does not cover vastly different territory. Instead the band’s sophomore release builds on Volume One without being redundant. Musically Ward seems to offer a more layered, almost Brian Wilsonesque sound, particularly evident on the album’s last track ‘If You Can’t Sleep’. Ward’s musical mastery accomplishes this while leaving a sparse canvas for Deschanel’s earnest vocals. Simplicity also reigns lyrically. This minimalistic approach should not be read as trite or rudimentary or disappointing. Rather it offers a sort of comforting straightforwardness reminiscent of the great classic AM hits of 30 years ago. Also of note lyrically is Deschanel’s ability to write songs about broken hearts while sounding amazingly optimistic as heard on ‘Thieves’: “Why do you look like that? It’s not all that bad. I’ll see you sometime. Sometimes lonely isn’t sad.”
The most interesting accomplishment of this record is that while the words and music may point to a time long gone, the album also sounds very "indie now". This feeling is similar to the look and feel and music created in Twin Peaks. Likewise, Volume Two is art not closely tied to a fixed era. Perhaps the work of Deschanel’s mom on the iconic Peaks informs She and Him’s musical efforts. Whatever the reason, Volume Two advances a sound and sensation that can be of any place and anytime making it universal and guaranteeing future relevance.
In the end Volume Two is just a nifty little indie pop record released by two talented musicians who aren’t going to dazzle you with their flair. You will, however, enjoy the sound they make. This record is like a comfortable shoe that wears well over time and there is something to be said for that.
