Weekly Top 10: Songs for Spring

Though spring has actually been upon us for the past week and a half, the 70-degree temperatures currently in my locale have finally made it official. Below you'll find tracks both about spring and evocative of spring as well. Some may be more obvious (The Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun"), while others may not jump out right away (Wilco's "Hummingbird"). Still, an enjoyable, seasonal collection. Check it out.

[Previously on Animal Noises: Weekly Top 10: SXSW Acts (Part 2)]

Music Video Monday: She & Him's "In the Sun"

Track: In the Sun

Artist: She & Him

Album: Volume Two

Year: 2010

Without going any further, you should know that the video for She & Him's "In the Sun" is incredibly hokey. That being said, it's that hokiness which makes the duo the charming, pseudo-throwback it is. Fittingly, this visual presentation takes place in a high school, supposedly circa the 1960s. If it weren't for the countless hallway song-and-dance numbers we've been subjected to over the years, from Grease to High School Musical, perhaps this one would resonate even more. Once again though, the fact that said concept is so tired somehow makes it more interesting when used by She & Him here.

The fact that Zooey Deschanel screams 1960s wherever she goes helps matters. While most female recording artists would look slightly out of place dressed in the more conservative school dresses and other outfits of the era, Deschanel fits in perfectly. The fact that she is an actress also pays big dividends as the song-and-dance never seems oversold. Instead, her leading a group of supposed teens in song just looks right, and M. Ward's persona as the artistic loner airs out just as well. Sometimes a video and a song are just a perfect fit. Check it out for yourself below.

[Previously on Animal Noises: Pre-Screening: She & Him's Volume Two]

Pre-Screening: She & Him's Volume Two

Album: Volume Two

Artist: She & Him

Label: Merge

Rating: 7.5

It's probable that She & Him will fail to ever break new ground. The M. Ward/Zooey Deschanel project will never test any other sound, mood or subject matter. Nor are they likely to release a record unless they’ve got some good material to work with. For better or for worse, you know exactly what you’re getting from them-- no more, no less. It can be comforting at times, especially in a sea of artists who change their stripes so often.

And yet, this seems to work perfectly for the duo. So long as Deschanel continues to lend her sultry, classic voice to Ward's instrumental stylings, this cycle could conceivably continue going on forever. Or at least for now, until the conclusion of their second album Volume Two.

There is very little difference from their previous effort when you first begin exploring Volume Two. What more can be accomplished with the aforementioned pieces? Still, the duo have actually managed to extrapolate their seemingly closed and confined sound into something even more polished and sentimental than the last record. Deschanel’s voice frolics with the hopes of young love. Her gushing persona as a young girl musing about boys is simply irresistible, from the bopping opener “Thieves,” to closer “If You Can’t Sleep.” The ladder of which may very well borrow most of its premise from Bing Crosby’s “Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep),” but in a project like this, sometimes borrowing from classic tunes can be helpful and even encouraged in bits and pieces.

It’s that glowing charm that really carries Volume Two, even more so than its mostly-cheery predecessor. Of course, while increasingly extensive orchestration by Ward also lends to a much more grown-up and solid sound, one can’t help but notice Deschanel’s newfound fifth gear in the radiance department-- see "Lingering Still," amongst others for examples.

Amidst the breezy, open paths and winding, romantic roads we travel here, one problem does occur however. Repetition. For a large majority of the album, the two employ a pretty standard verse-chorus setup and three-minute runtime, with echoing Motown-style backing vocals for good measure. “Me and You,” “Sing,” “In the Sun”– you name it, the song will have those same elements. Besides some slight breaks such as “Home” and the aforementioned closer, many tracks can end up merging together. Since this wasn't the case on Volume One, we see it as the slightly unfortunate side effect to better production and maturity.

Still, it’s hard to fault She & Him for their songs appearing too similar to one another. Ward and Deschanel have never strived to be more than just a pleasant little pet project that (at times) resembled the 1960s, and that’s what Volume Two presented itself as. Such execution, even of their modest goals, can be appreciated and in this case, moderately celebrated. She & Him never try too hard, and it shows in how easy and pleasant an experience it is to listen to their music. Just take it for what it is, and chances are you'll enjoy what you hear.

Best Track: "Thieves" (via Pitchfork)

[Previously on Animal Noises: John's Track of the Week: She & Him's "Thieves"]

Weekly Top 10: SXSW Acts (Part 1)

With one of the country's largest festival events just a week or so away, we figured this would be as good a time as any to feature some of our picks from our favorite artists in attendance down in Austin, TX. Today's playlist is only for artists who perform at SXSW on either Wednesday, March 17 or Thursday, March 18. Next week's will feature those who play on either Friday or Saturday. So without further ado, check out this entertaining collection of great acts-- all of whom will be appearing at SXSW.

[Previously on Animal Noises: Weekly Top 10: Brooklyn Bands]

John's Track of the Week: She & Him's "Thieves"

Song: Thieves

Artist: She & Him

Album: Volume Two

Rating: 7.0

Everyone's favorite male-female folk duo are back in 2010. She & Him, aka Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward (as if you needed such a clarification) will be releasing their second collaboration together, appropriately entitled Volume Two. Surely you all recall how successful Volume One went over, with its catchy mix of Deschanel originals and various lovelorn covers. And then there was Deschanel's 2009-- an extreme encroachment into the hipster universe if I've ever seen one. If starring in indie film (500) Days of Summer wasn't enough, she also contributed to the soundtrack, and married Death Cab For Cutie's Ben Gibbard. Quite a year for the young actress, to say the least.

The introduction to Volume Two is the swooning, elaborate "Thieves." A ballad lamenting over lost love, it brings in a conservative orchestra backing to really get the point across that this collaboration was supposed to take place about 30-40 years ago. The wishy-washy, boy-meets-girl vibe that Deschanel and Ward have managed to keep up is atypical of today's scene, becoming a welcome break from less-straightforward explorations into pop and rock conventions. You'll want to welcome them back into your life with this track. And be sure to pick up She & Him's Volume Two, out March 23 via Merge.

"Thieves" -- She & Him (via Pitchfork)

[Previously on Animal Noises: New She & Him Not-Quite-Video, "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?"]

Weekly Top 10: Cover Songs

Many apologies for not having this up in its usual Thursday spot. Things get hectic occasionally, and this was one of them. For those who've been with us since the beginning, we've actually used this theme before. However, with a different staff, and over a year under our belts, we figured it was worth tackling again. Some songs will probably be extremely familiar to you, while others, perhaps not so much. Anyway, for your enjoyment-- this week's top 10: cover songs.

[Previously on Animal Noises: Weekly Top 10: Best Songs Named for Geographic Locations]

New She & Him Not-Quite-Video, "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?"

I guess it's (500) Days of Summer day at Animal Noises. After this morning's foray into The Smiths, we've now been presented with this video. It's not quite a music video, nor is it a short film-- rather it's simply a short visual presentation, starring Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Leavitt, the stars of the aforementioned (500) Days, set to music. The vid, directed by the movie's director, Marc Webb, is very basic. Just your classic movie-musical bank robbery, turned song-and-dance number. The soundtrack is provided by She & Him's "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?" Is it weird that I can no longer remember a cinematic or music world that did not intensely involve Deschanel? Thought so. Check out the video, exclusively over at USA Today.

New She & Him Cover, "Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want"

I'm talking about yet another song covered for the sake of a movie today. This time, however, it's one that I would actually go see. You all know Zooey Deschanel, I'm sure. You know, that girl who's engaged to Count Death Cab himself? Yeah, her. Well, she's once again teamed up with everyone's new favorite folkster (now that Conor Oberst has delivered an epic failure I never thought possible), M. Ward, for another cool and interesting cover song- remember, there were several non-originals on She & Him's Volume One last year. This time, they take some liberties with The Smiths' "Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want," and the results are, as one might have guessed, favorable. The recording was made for Zooey's upcoming film, (500) Days of Summer, which, as you might know, has killed many indie festivals over the past year. I'm really looking forward to it, and the soundtrack, as I'm sure you are as well, but unfortunately you're going to have to wait for the music to come out on July 14th, via Sire. But for those who want to give this track a listen first, check the deal over at Stereogum.

Best of 2008: #15, She & Him

Rank: #15

Album: Volume One

Artist: She & Him

Label: Merge Records

Our next record on the countdown is #15, She & Him's Volume One.  Do you remember the sultry, classic voice of Jovie in the movie Elf?  Well, for those who might have forgotten, here's the source of it- the highly talented Zooey Deschanel.  As the story goes, Deschanel and M. Ward met on the set of a movie, started discussing music, and before they knew it, they were constructing Volume One via e-mail.  This record, a nice collection of Deschanel originals and a few covers, just screams Motown.  It's also got enough of a hint of the Saddle Creek sound- the source of the contributing musicians- to get some indie cred.  According to Deschanel herself, they are currently working on material for Volume Two.

From the start of opener "Sentimental Heart," you just know you're in for a treat with this album.  Switching back and forth from doo-woppy ballads to more bouncy melodies that evoke memories of The Supremes and Frankie Valli, among others, this quick record takes you on a trip down memory lane, even if your own memory only takes you as far as the 80s.  As far as Deschanel and M. Ward's cover choices, I also must commend them, as they picked out songs that not only fit her vocal style, but almost sound as if they were made for her.  Smokey Robinson's "You Really Got Your Hold On Me" is redone as a slow, western duet between the two.  You almost forget that "I Should Have Known Better" was a hit from The Beatles.  And, as far as "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" is concerned, the only words I can use to describe it are beautifully haunting.  Though I think I've thoroughly described this one already, feel free to consult Jenny Lewis, Ingrid Michaelson and The Marvelettes.

Best Track: "This Is Not A Test"