Here's one that nobody saw coming: actress (yes, another one) Zooey Deschanel (Elf, The Happening) has teamed up with respected singersongwriter M. Ward to record a collection of folk-tinted songs, ingenuously dubbed Volume One. Perhaps even more surprisingly, though, is that the motley pair have actually crafted a consistent and enjoyable album.
Where most Hollywood stars with aspirations for a career in music fail embarrassingly, Deschanel succeeds. This can be mostly attributed to Ward's influence and experience; although he participates only sporadically on vocals, his well-crafted ear for melody and song structure is apparent - even if these songs are much poppier fare than he's used to. However, that's not to discount Deschanel's contribution. The actress has a background in music, and she brings that competence to these songs, as well as a fine, nasal semi-falsetto of a voice that alternates between 'Blue'-era Joni Mitchell, Carole King and a smidgen of Stevie Nicks.
Perhaps most importantly, however, is the fact that these are strong songs that harken back to the golden days of fuzzy '60s glory - when The Mamas and the Papas ruled the pop charts and The Ronettes provided sass and oomph to jaded, formulaic dirges. Both of those groups are apt reference points: the gorgeous piano-led Sentimental Heart, as well as the plethora of country-tinged numbers (lap steel guitar plays a big role here) such as Change Is Hard and Take It Back have the same 'timeless' quality that both acts embodied, while covers of Smokey Robinson's 'You Really Got A Hold On Me' and The Beatles' 'I Should Have Known Better' are interesting, at the very least.
With a heart that belongs firmly in another decade, by its very nature, Volume One should be far too derivative to cause a flutter. Yet, although Deschanel's unchangeable voice may irk slightly towards the tenth track, it's tempered by the simplicity and brevity of these songs. Volume Two should be interesting.
