For those of you already caught in the band's spider web of eternal summer, this album delivers the goods.
Their work has developed its own particular effervescent flavor. As producer, Ward fleshes out her melodies with strings, horns, background vocals and his own guitar work. Handclaps feature prominently. Guest stars abound.
With the arrival of Volume 3, there’s finally a She & Him record that grabs—and mostly keeps—the listener’s attention.
It doesn’t shy away from sorrow, but as far as heartbreak albums go, Volume 3 is surprisingly resilient.
While not the genuine evolution in sound that some may have been looking for, Volume 3 is definitely an enjoyable album
It's fair to say that there are no real surprises here but what we do get is a solid collection of retro tinged songs that will appeal to fans of their previous work.
While Deschanel’s songwriting is classically strong, the performances spot-on, and the arrangements undeniably impressive, She and Him don’t offer much of an update to this classic sound.
The third chapter in She & Him’s discography won’t convert those who dislike the genre and it won’t alienate fans of it either.
While enjoyable from song to song, the experience of the entire album is tiring.
Sure it’s trying to mimic something it can never truly be but it’s lovely nonetheless and credit where due will probably be rewarded with more than a few listens.
What you hear on your first spin of Volume 3 is what you get each time you return to it – immediate, if fleeting and shallow, pleasure.
It’s a shame that their third outing has ironed out the kooks and cracks that made them so endearing.
I think it’s safe to say that this third Volume remains the most autobiographical of the bunch. I hear you: autobiography does not guarantee quality, and in this case, that is especially true.
Volume Three can’t flourish under the force of her considerable personality or Ward’s craftsmanship, because the latter has been deadened and the former is unwilling to break the illusion.
If She & Him are hellbent in playing nostalgia to the genres and styles of the ‘50s and ‘60s, well, there is more than enough raw material for them to sift through that can keep their albums sounding different and relevant.
Nice indie-pop/folk-pop album which profits from its perfect length of 14 songs, thus being not too long and not too short. Also the production is uplifting which I really like. The vocal performance is also good with nice melodies across the 14 songs, but sadly the album slowly decreases in quality towards the end.
Favs: I´ve Got Your Number Son, Never Wanted Your Love
Favorite tracks:
Never Wanted Your Love, I Could've Been Your Girl, Together, London (10)
Rated on: April 4, 2020