<p><span><span>- The indie folk duo She And Him have made no secret of their love for <strong>Beach Boys</strong> mastermind <strong>Brian Wilson</strong> throughout their sixteen year career. They even guested on Wilson’s 2015 album <em>No Pier Pressure</em>, and now take their love a little further by releasing an entire album of songs written by Wilson either for the Beach Boys or as a solo artist.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>The song selection is what you might expect from aficionados, blending familiar classics such as <em>Wouldn’t It Be Nice </em>and <em>Darlin’</em>, crate-digging favourites like <em>Til I Die</em> as well as unexpected deep cuts including <em>Good To My Baby</em> and <em>Meant For You</em>. The arrangements here are respectful but with a slightly quirky and unashamedly retro playfulness, not a million miles removed from contemporary sunshine pop groups like <strong>The Explorers Club</strong>. Our main man Brian even makes a cameo, giving us a couple of verses in <em>Do It Again</em>. </span></span></p>
<p><span><span>Which brings us to the lead vocal renditions of the songs, shared between the she and him of the group’s name. The ‘she’ in the combo is actor/singer <strong>Zooey Deschanel</strong>, and it is her vocals that perhaps most define the album’s vibe – pure and breezy with just a touch of country-tinged melancholy. She has charm to spare in the twinkling, piano-led bounce of <em>Wouldn’t It Be Nice</em> and a jazzy acoustic take on<em> (Don’t Talk) Put Your Head On My Shoulder.</em> <strong>M. Ward’s</strong> vocal style is a little more idiosyncratic and breathier, a low murmur that at its best, bends Wilson’s melodies into snakier, bluesier territory. His most successful rendition is the playful melodic variation he gives to <em>Darlin’</em>, helped along by some strikingly full multi-tracked harmonies from Zooey. </span></span></p>
<p><span><span>‘<em>Til I Die</em> is actually more old school than the mantra-like original, mid-tempo folk pop with some wonderful trumpet work. They even surpass one of the originals, taking the pretty but treacly ballad <em>Deirdre</em> and doing it a little bit like '70's Wilson side-project <strong>American Spring</strong>, upping the tempo to unearth a chirpier, peppier number. That’s not to say She And Him make a habit of bettering the master, as Wilson’s music is truly in a league of its own. But they have managed to create a heartfelt and thoughtfully arranged tribute to one of the true greats.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>- Matt Thrower.</span></span></p>
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