She & Him – actress Zooey Deschanel & musician M. Ward – have long leaned towards both the pop of the past, and covers. They’re a band that’s released not one, but two Christmas albums, A Very She & Him Christmas (QRO review) and Christmas Party (QRO review). And their pop sensibilities are rooted in sixties California in particular, so it’s kind of no wonder that they’ve put together Melt Away: A Tribute to Brian Wilson. Perhaps the world didn’t need an album of covers of Wilson Beach Boys songs, but She & Him certainly do the songs well, and at times even add to them.
Obviously of primary note is that most of the Beach Boys covers are sung by a Beach Girl, tilting them more girl-group, but with Deschanel’s ample charm. The tops of their traditional takes naturally is the massive hit “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”, because it’s impossible not to love that song. But the sunny appeal of “Deirdre” is leavened with an undercurrent of sadness, Ward’s more wistful guitar amping up pieces from mere covers. Ward even gets to sing lead vocals on the relaxing “Don’t Worry Baby”, a nice change-up on the album – and Wilson himself sings the surf guitar lookback “Do It Again”, because of course She & Him can recruit the actual, living subject they’re paying tribute to.
Like She & Him’s Christmas records or regular cover album Classics (QRO review), the breezy Melt Away isn’t really essential, but is also more than just enjoyable.
