Year End Lists: Ladies' Night

It's getting close people. These next picks are crucial. For what, we don't know. Especially since it's January 13th. And congratulations Kanye! You won the iPod!
Ben's Pick:

4. She and Him - Volume One
Zooey Deschanel has been melting my heart since she played William Miller's older sister in Almost Famous. Even though she sings, hearing the news that she was pursuing a recording career, with M. Ward nonetheless, I braced myself for an indie scene clusterfuck of epic proportions. What I heard once I finally took the plunge and listened, was quite the opposite: Deschanel became the first actress-cum-musician that you don't want to poke in the eye with a sharp stick. Alternating between '60s style girl group stylings ("I Was Made For You," "Sweet Darling") and confessional ballads ("Change is Hard," "Sentimental Heart"), this album delivers emotional sincerity with a knowing wink. I'm still hoping that the title of this collection isn't just a hint at future endeavors. Volume One has a truly timeless feel; it's an album your dad will love (in a good way).

Isabelle's Pick:

4. Erykah Badu - New Amerykah, Part One (4th World War)

I swear to everything sacred Erykah Badu is not human. She is a magical and spectacular goddess who was sent to Dallas, Texas to melt face. Seeing her live is life changing, and seeing her perform this album live was an out of body experience. "Telephone," her gorgeous tribute to her mentor and friend Dilla, brought tears to my eyes the first time I heard it. I cannot wait for the next Amerykah installment. I just want to hang out with her. You know, cruise around Brooklyn, smoking a j, listening to music that hasn't been invented yet, talking about André 3000. I mean that in the least creepy way possible, really.

Someday, you'll be cool.

Volume One is an album that I tried to avoid from the day it was leaked last spring. Don't get me wrong: M. Ward is practically therapy for me, and I've loved Zooey Deschanel ever since she spoke those immortal lines in Almost Famous. I loved her even more after she sang "Baby, It's Cold Outside" in one of Elf's more tender moments. But something about this album's word of mouth promotion put me off. It was so buzzed about, I thought it probably had to be a flub. "I'll let the hype die down," I thought, "and then see what I think."

What I think is that this is one of the most refreshing albums of the year, perfect for summer months. It's light and it's easy to swallow, but there's still real depth courtesy of Ward's old school production values. Much has been made of the album's division into covers and originals penned by Deschanel herself, but I think the more stark contrast here is among the styles used. Here we have a handful of slow burning love songs with acoustic accompaniment and light percussion, while over there lays Ward's stab at recreating an early-60's girl group sound. Perhaps it's because of my own predilection towards the Ronettes and Shirelles of the world, but these are the most successful songs on the album. "Sweet Darlin'" has the kind of hand claps and shuffling chorus that make me wish I had a time machine, while "I Was Made For You" has backup vocals that sound straight from the Brill Building.

The last couple of years have been full of reverence for this period running from just after the rock n roll explosion to the early successes of Motown. Before Amy Winehouse imploded, producer Mark Ronson got her in the same room as the Dap Kings to record what I'd reluctantly call neo-soul. Sure, it's new, and it's definitely got all the trappings of soul, but stylistically it is straight out of the early 60's. Not all that neo. While Winehouse's Back to Black was more Supremes than Ronettes, the pop laden tracks on Volume One provide an unexpected counterpoint to that album.

There are a few duds, but they are easily forgiven: as always, low standards lead to big returns.


Volume One on eMusic
Video: "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?"