With a mere 13 days until Christmas it seemed only appropriate that we showcase the always beautiful Zooey Deschanel’s latest collaboration with M. Ward; A Very She and Him Christmas.
Album Back-Cover Art for M. Ward and Our Favorite Elf Star Zooey Deschanel's New Holiday Album (1585x1115)
“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” Live on Ellen
M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel
Tired of hearing all the same holiday standards sung the same (3) different ways over and over againWill one more listen through of a Manheim Steamroller or Mariah Carey holiday album make you go postal? We thought so and we’ve got just what the doctor ordered; Los Angeles based New Girl star Zooey Deschanel and Portland, Orgeon based Indie Folk rocker M. Ward’s latest collaboration, A Very She and Him Christmas.
Immersive and heart-warming the album uniquely applies Deschanel’s and Ward’s quirky retro-chic sound in such a way as to nearly reinvent the Christmas album. Comprised of (12) standards ranging from the traditionally melodic first track, The Christmas Waltz to the more upbeat and hipster sounding 9th track, Baby It’s Cold Outside the album seamlessly spans the gambit and scope of the holiday season without every becoming tedius, stale, over-wraught or repetitive.
Deschanel time and again proves that the songs don’t need to be “decorated” with constant impromptu riffs as a means of showcasing chantreuses’ vocal strength (Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey and others…take note). By taking music back to basics, She & Him have imparted the warmth and tenderness that has been lacking from contemporary and overly commercialized interpretations of holiday songs.
Intriguingly, most people first took notice of Zooey Deschanel’s unique singing voice when she sang, “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” in the now hugely popular holiday film Elf. In a nod to the film perhaps, Deschanel and Ward revisit this song on their latest album with one change…Zooey switches verses and takes over the male part while Ward sings the female’s. The most up-tempo track on the album, this twist on the classic song is subtle but effective and effortlessly breathes new life into a classic standard.
In contrast, the tranquil and nearly serene quality of tracks like “Silver Bells,” “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” and “The Christmas Song” provide for a soothingly melodic soundtrack fit for enjoyment in front of a warm fireplace while watching snow fall through the windows (Or so we would like to imagine being Floridians). Not to be lulled into a sedate nearly tryptofanic holiday coma the album also features lively, louder and equally inspired tracks such as “Sleigh Ride,” “Little Saint Nick” and “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree.”
An instant holiday classic, She and Him have delivered a quality holiday album that is as subtle as it is inspired and original. The sort of musical adventure befitting of the holidays which offers something for nearly everyone and every set of beliefs equally.
A native of Tampa, FL Robert is the presiding editor and co-owner of both Down Shift Magazine and DS Holdings, LLC. A proud alumnus of the University of South Florida’s class of 2005 Robert is active in the Tampa Bay community and when not residing at his home in Tampa, FL enjoys traveling throughout the United States and abroad covering the motorsports and cultural phenomenon that shape our modern automotive enthusiast community.
