By Joe Johnson (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: November 16, 2011
She & Him have brought on the Christmas season early this year. They even beat the absurdly early TV commercials with A Very She & Him Christmas, having dropped on October 24. Through their first two LPs, Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward have proven to be one of the top duos on the indie scene. But departing from their typical kickback to an older era of sounds, they craft this Christmas album with a simpler and stripped down style – one certainly fitting for the season.
With Deschanel (vocals, piano, and the ukulele) and Ward (vocals, guitar, and organ) together here, they produce a very collected rendition of the classics. And while the jovial tones aren’t as apparent as one may expect on a Christmas album, they do exist in a more subdued form. This approach is certainly appreciated, and it’s what separates the album from the thousands of other holiday-themed releases. The songs have really become their own.
What’s more, Ward has a greater role in the vocal department here than he has on their previous albums. Perhaps their weakest point up to now has been not enough of “Him” up front. He has an underrated magnetism to his voice, which finally gets shown off in this album. Of course, Deschanel still has the majority of the songs, and her voice does suit them quite well. But when they get together for the harmonies, the album peaks to perfection.
It starts off with “The Christmas Waltz,” which perhaps could be easily forgotten since it’s quickly trailed by one of the more outstanding tracks on the album, “Christmas Day.” It’s an upbeat song that is absolutely superb with the background vocals and instrumental.
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “I’ll be Home for Christmas” are two songs that go by as decent progressions and act to build up to the next prominent song on the album, “Christmas Wish.” This one is dominated by Ward’s perfection in bringing it all to the lyrics.
Following is “Sleigh Ride” which has a twangy arrangement and the perfect combo of both band members. Though, I’d be amiss if I said that I could even recall the next one, their version of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.”
But then the pluckiness of the ukulele makes a strong appearance on “Silver Bells,” meaning that this song is no longer one of my least favourite to listen to during the season.
Of course, when “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” begins to play I can’t help but be brought back to Deschanel in one of the classic Christmas movies, Elf. The actual song itself has always been quite campy to listen to, but having Ward provide one side of it really lends some credibility to it as a hallmark.
“Blue Christmas” makes an appearance and Deschanel keeps it very simple with a light tenderness that seems to float across the entire song, marking a beautiful rendition.
As the second-to-last song comes on, “Little Saint Nick” proves to be fun and picks things up before they’re finally brought back down again with the closing track, “The Christmas Song.” As the final song, it quietly plays the album out.
An excellent job was done to avoid being cliché in any regard on this album. It is genuine and unique. However, it appeared to be over just as soon as it started with its mere 32 minutes in length. Given that it’s Christmas and all, though, it’s alright to just throw it on repeat for background listening. That way it’ll lend a little atmosphere for when the drunken shenanigans begin.
I’m really looking forward to giving this album another listen. Only next time it will be in about one month’s time, and with a little shot of something in my hot chocolate while sitting by the fire.
