Volume Two is the second studio album by She & Him, a collaboration between M. Ward and actress Zooey Deschanel. It was released on March 17, 2010 through P-Vine Records in Japan, in the United States on March 23, 2010 through Merge Records, and on April 5, 2010 on Double Six Records in the UK. The album's track listing was announced on December 8, 2009. "In the Sun" was published online by Pitchfork on January 22, 2010 and was released as a single with "I Can Hear Music" on February 23, 2010. A video of "In the Sun" was released on March 9, 2010. On 9 February 2010, She & Him were interviewed on BBC 6 Music and performed "Thieves" and "Gonna Get Along without You Now" from the not-yet-released album. Two versions of the song "Thieves" were made available on-line. One was that played for the BBC interview and two weeks later Stereogum premiered the studio version from the album. A video of "Thieves" was released on July 9, 2010. On 14 March 2010, the entire album became available for streaming on NPR's website. The album debuted at number six on the Billboard 200 chart.
Critical reception
The album has received positive reviews. Stephen Thompson writes in NPR First Listen, " isn't exactly dragging listeners through a complex emotional hellride. It's more confection than confessional, but it's a kind-natured one; the audio equivalent of a spring breeze that wafts in at a perfect time." Rob Dixon comments in inthenews.co.uk, "For a partnership which many may not see as the most obvious, it works brilliantly well. Over the course of the 13 tracks there are a number of gems, while all of the songs are expertly crafted by Deschanel and effortlessly captured by Ward...The covers are also dealt with expertly and fit the overall mood of the album, which has a glistening summery – and occasionally jaunty – feel to it. The sweetness might not be to everyone's taste though, particularly as on initial listens some tracks can appear somewhat samey." Melissa Maerz wrote in Spin, "fans of '70s AM Gold will sip this stuff down like so much well-aged chardonnay. Buffeted by Ward's pillowy acoustic strums, Deschanel is a convincing soft-rock goddess, conjuring Linda Ronstadt on the country shuffle 'Thieves' and Skeeter Davis on a cover of 'Gonna Get Along Without Ya Now'. She lays down the lullaby 'If You Can't Sleep' with a voice as clear and rosy as stained glass."
Track listing
All songs written by Zooey Deschanel, except where noted.
