- Musicanship
- Production
- Originality
- Vibe
- Vocals
Every year brings a renewed effort by the music industry to thrash any semblance of holiday spirit that has survived Glee: The Christmas Album, N’Sync: Home for Christmas, and Merry Christmas by Mariah Carey. Just the mention of Justin Bieber this year had me ready to bury myself in the basement with Springsteen’s Santa Claus is Coming to Town single and A Chipmunk Christmas (both on vinyl) and not turn on the radio until after St. Patrick’s Day.
Even the news that indie darling Zooey Deschanel and Matt Ward—who, their powers united, become the band She & Him—my expectations were not particularly high. I heard a couple of the songs online before I got the album and I was on the fence, but the more I listened, the more I enjoyed the whole album. A Very She & Him Christmas goes against every holiday pop album tradition by being tasteful and understated.
Deschanel and Ward bring a beautiful Zen-like quality to these Christmas standards, stripping them down to fit their economy-sized, two person ensemble, and then making it work so wonderfully you begin to wonder why we ever needed more. They show a delicate touch on ballads like Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and The Christmas Song, where Deschanel’s distinctive vocals hang gently on Ward’s subtle guitar riffs creating a warm, intimate atmosphere that make me want to reopen our fireplace and break my rules against cuddling. Like a warm cup of cocoa or the sight of unrelenting snow outside, Zooey Deschanel’s soft crooning beckons you to stay in for the night. The instruments are played with just a soft touch that highlight rather than challenge the singer.
The tempo picks up toward the middle with peppy takes on Sleigh Ride, Baby, It’s Cold Outside, and with Ward taking over lead vocals on Christmas Wish though they never depart from the intimate atmosphere of the songs around them. These are fine covers as well but they lack a distinguishing touch. I could not tell Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree from the original apart from the missing saxophone. Switch them at your next party and see if anyone notices, they probably won’t. Still, considering they are covers, there are worse things to be than unoriginal.
This is one of those seemingly perfect pairings that actually pays off in the execution.The quirky-adorable-retro sound of She & Him has found a perfect outlet for their sound in this holiday collection. It fits equally well through padded headphones in Williamsburg, through your computer speakers, or through your mother’s “antique” CD player. The CD even comes with a faux-Christmas card from Matt and Zooey, which may be the most adorable thing ever. She & Him have restored my faith in Christmas music, at least until next year. The biggest problem I can come up with is the short thirty-two minute run time, just about enough time to settle in before you are back in the basement queuing up the record player again.
