Music review: She & Him – 鈥楳elt Away: A Tribute to Brian Wilson鈥�
With summer slowly preparing its surrender to the colorful fall season, the latest effort by She & Him captures a little warmth of the sun through a delightful tribute to the genius of Brian Wilson.
Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward comfortably cover 14 Wilson arrangements that highlight the California vibe represented by the Beach Boys since the release of 鈥淪urfin鈥� Safari鈥� in 1962.
While Wilson鈥檚 talent can never be duplicated, his impactful works can certainly be interpreted with a genuine love and sincere appreciation that provide another perspective.
After first hearing She & Him perform 鈥淥n the Island鈥� in 2015 on Wilson鈥檚 鈥淣o Pier Pressure,鈥� it seemed only natural that the two would continue their affection for Wilson鈥檚 songwriting.
The 14-track love letter to Wilson showcases a diverse sampling of his range, beginning with 鈥淒arlin'鈥� from 1967鈥檚 鈥淲ild Honey鈥� and closing with 鈥淢eant for You鈥� from 1968鈥檚 鈥淔riends.鈥�
鈥淲ouldn鈥檛 It Be Nice鈥� from 鈥淧et Sounds鈥� gets a dreamy makeover from Deschanel with her soothing voice detailing the sheer joy and promise of a new romance.
Another standout track is 鈥淢elt Away鈥� from Wilson鈥檚 first solo album. It鈥檚 always been one of my favorite Wilson-penned tracks. The original message about the power of love is kept masterfully intact on this charming cover version.
The unbridled energy of youthful adventure outlined on 鈥淒o It Again鈥� features guest vocals by Wilson himself, demonstrating that this classic鈥檚 message is as relevant today as it was when first released back in 1968.
鈥淧lease Let Me Wonder鈥� is the signature selection on the album. This Wilson gem from 1965 possesses a beautiful melody focused on the uncertainty of a romantic relationship. It鈥檚 simultaneously heartbreaking and hopeful as Deschanel softly declares, 鈥淔or so long I thought about it/And now I just can鈥檛 live without it/This beautiful image I have of you.鈥�
鈥淒eirdre,鈥� 鈥淕ood to My Baby,鈥� 鈥淒on鈥檛 Worry Baby鈥� and 鈥淭his Whole World鈥� are other notable performances.
While summer might not be endless, Wilson鈥檚 influence remains constant.