The Red and Black

Issue date: 4/3/08 Section: Out & About

Media Credit: COURTESY MERGE RECORDS She & Him is the tandem stage name of successful solo musicians M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel. [Click to enlarge]

It's an indie dream come true, if only the hipster districts of Hollywood were nestled somewhere between Nashville, Memphis or New York City during the height of its folk art era.

Two of the celebrity sphere's most subtle and underrated stars have left their native territory to come together and make sweet, sweet music - literally - as singer/songwriter M. Ward melds with indie film darling Zooey Deschanel in holy musical matrimony as She & Him. Deschanel's easygoing vocals are nothing short of dazzling, sounding as if Nico was singing in front of 17 different styles of rock band as opposed to The Velvet Underground.

She sweetly laments on the album's opening track "Old habits die hard when you got a sentimental heart," then immediately plugs in to chug along on the happy-go-lucky highlight "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?" Rounding out the opening one-two punch is a Traveling Wilburys-type tune entitled "This Is Not A Test," with each song onward more infectious and affecting than the previous.

M. Ward's musical orchestrations integrate elements of Grand Ole Opry with song structures stolen from classic country, doo-wop and single-spotlight soul club subtlety. Cast your celebrity doubts aside - She & Him has honed one of 2008's most surprising and satisfying selections, star power or not.

- Sami Promisloff

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