She & Him: Volume I

Actress Zooey Deschanel's latest work is not in movie form, but in the shape of another small disc, an album. Deschanel recently put out a cd with M. Ward as producer, with their collaboration titled She and Him. Volume One is a charming cd, full of twang and nods to the seventies. Deschanel's voice sounds like a simple and refined Joanna Newsom on the single "Sentimental Heart". Much of the songs have drawn resemblances to various old-timey styles like motown, seventies folk and also the cheesy hits of female singers during this decade. Cheese in an artistic sense is usually a horrible description, but on "I Thought I Saw Your Face Today" it manages to be so sweet that you'll be glad Ward and Deschanel brought it back. Ward joins Deschanel on the cover of the Beatles song "I Should Have Known Better" and with the addition of a ukulele, the classic is transported to Hawaii. Comparisons of Deschanel's vocals and style has been drawn to Carol King and Linda Ronstadt. So check it out, it's a decent listen.


http://hypem.com/search/she%20and%20him/1/

As a sophomore, with reggaeton

I have to say, I have not been so excited or obsessed with a cd since my junior year of high school when I first heard Rilo Kiley's More Adventurous. The ivy-league quartet, Vampire Weekend has got me in lust. I popped their cd into my car and have literally been listening to it on repeat. All the hype around them is deserved, their sound is fresh and providing a nice spice to the indie world. As a child who grew up on Paul Simon's Graceland, I appreciate the renaissance of African beats. The caribbean influence, horns and flutes wrapped up in the guise of a preppy indie band is a hidden surprise. Even my 64 year old dad loves them (and has said he's going to thrown their name around in conversation and see where it gets him).

Check out this article
http://www.spin.com/articles/vampire-weekend-graduates