She & Him: Volume Two

Label: Merge

“We want another one! Just like the other one!” Oh yeah? Well good, because guess what kids? Volume Two very literally picks up right where She & Him, the dream-pairing of Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward, left off with 2008’s Volume One. That album caught most everyone by surprise, even those who saw Elf and knew Zooey could sing. This one has actual expectations hovering over it — and yet they shrugged off all of that stuff and turned out another stellar set of winsome, sweetly sad and romantic pop songs in a dreamlike blend of ‘60s/’70s styles. The slight quaver in Zooey’s voice last time has vanished after multiple shows and the sort of focused writing and recording that come with, you know, being a band and having a contract and fans and junk. Deschanel penned 11 sparkling new tunes for Volume Two and they added a pair of covers (by NRBQ and ‘50s sister act Patience and Prudence). The one thing that could pose a slight problem: How much can we stand hearing this gorgeous, talented, charming, cotton-wearing, permanent It Girl sing about being ignored by fellas and always being on the wrong side of romance? Two albums into She & Him’s unlikely career as a band and it hasn’t chased me off yet. (Vinyl includes free digital download.) (ML Thrope)