Description
She amp Him, the acclaimed twosome of M.Ward and Zooey Deschanel are known for the stylish arrangements, sophisticated interpretations, and sharply drawn originals they have perfected across their exceedingly fruitful sixalbum, 14year collaboration. Now, with Melt Away A Tribute to Brian Wilson, their seventh fulllength release and first for Fantasy, the duo has crafted a love letter to 60rsquosera Southern Californiainspired pop that stands on its own as a defining musical achievement.Produced by M.Ward and mixed by Tom Schick Wilco, Norah Jones, Iron and Wine, Melt Away A Tribute to Brian Wilson is the pairrsquos first in six years and features an abundance of smartly chosen WilsonBeach Boys compositions, some universally beloved and others a little less familiar. All of them though, whether ingrained in your soul or hearing for the first time, share a flair for the dramatic. Ward and Deschanel bring their uncanny communal musical instincts to these popnoir confections and reimagine them for these times.The inviting, twangy album opener, Brian Wilson and Mike Loversquos ldquoDarlinrsquo,rdquo from the Beach Boys 1967 album Wild Honey sets a high bar that She amp Him meets throughout. The duorsquos devoted take on ldquoWouldnrsquot It Be Nicerdquo is especially revealing. Most wouldnrsquot consider touching the stonecold classic, yet they lean into it with unabashed joy. Elsewhere, the bandrsquos sublime version of Wilsonrsquos mournful ldquoTil I Dierdquo is a threeminute and 22 second marvel. Deschanelrsquos spectacular vocal turn on the criminally overlooked Wilson solo cut ldquoMelt Awayrdquo transforms the originalrsquos lush, stringheavy treatment into a postmodern folkpop gem. Other highlights include the surfrock throwback ldquoDo It Again,rdquo featuring vocals from Brian Wilson himself and the graceful ldquoPlease Let Me Wonder,rdquo a longtreasured Wilson album cut. Finally, the Beach Boyrsquos timeless ldquoDonrsquot Worry Babyrdquo might be the albumrsquos centerpiece and most affecting track. M.Wardrsquos earthy, laconic lead vocal layered over an exquisite arrangement feels organic and completely new ndash just like this album, a stunner in every way.