SWEET DARLING

She was an actress until 2006. She stuck to independent films mostly, but she played the sister in Almost Famous and even graced the screen as the leading lady in Will Farrell’s ELF.

They met each other on the set of “The Go-Getter,” which she was playing in. Together they are She & Him. “She,” Zooey Deschanel, writes the lyrics in LA and sends them to “Him,” Matt Ward, exceptional guitarist, genius songwriter; and notable expert on the history of North American music. The duo released “Volume 1” in 2008 and “Volume 2” in 2010.  Volume 2 is She & Him post-puberty; Deschanel is older, wiser on the second cover than the first. Everything about her that seduced you in Volume One has grown taller, wider,  more intense, grown hair in weird places. Her acidic voice sings you pretty stories and anecdotes that makes you oscillate between happiness and melancholy. She is a sixteen year-old girl’s blush and baggage.  Matt Ward hides behind her curls but his perfectly arranged melodies are undeniable; his strokes lead her fallen hairs from their detachment at the porcelain root, down the sleeve of her cashmere sweater to the inexplicable beauty of their gentle landing on the floor. It’s nuts.

If you listen closely, you hear the Beach Boys and Joni Mitchell, reflections of  “In the Sun” and “I’m Gonna Make It Better.” Looks like the Nineteen “Genius”  Seventies are in the air for real.

EE – AM