Ok, I'll go first. I didn't know anything about either of them until last week when my brother-in-law burned the cd for me (he's much more in tune with the local music scene than I am). The CD is great. It sounds like an updated version of the music put out by girl groups from the 50's and 60's.

Didn't know about She & Him (although I knew Zoey Deschanel could dance from her gig in the goofy movie Elf - her version of "Baby it's Cold Outside was a surprise.) If I recall her voice is amazing.

As to M. Ward (which is his professional name - just M), I just know he's one of those tragically hip singer songwriter types who lives relatively incognito in Portland's hipster land. The critics love him. Nobody at home knows who he is.

M. Ward is a pretty good artist. Has a deep voice, and creates odd indie music.

But his best song by far, is his cover of Daniel Johnston's "Story of an Artist."

I can listen to this song over and over again, I love it.

check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GOoccNI6pM

I heard Zooey interviewed on Terry Gross. I had never heard of her, but loved her voice. I immediately downloaded the cd from iTunes and have listened to it twice a day ever since. It's just fantastic, I love it. This from a tragically un-hip 37 year old mom who gets new music suggestions from NPR.

Nice links!

I love M. Ward. All of his albums are excellent. I look forward to getting the She & Him album.

Here are some great videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToEPFDIzhNA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIMVxQy0mCU

M. Ward is incredible. His sleepy music sounds like its coming out of an old photo album. His 2006 album "Post-War" was the anthem of my life for a while. She and Him is a good listen, but I like hearing his sandpapery voice more. Definitely check out his older work.

i like him, hipster country wannabe that he is. without a lot of echo and reverb, he sounds--like a good open mic night.

in other words: if you're under 30 or so, you'll find him original and cool. if you're over 35 or 40, he'll just sound like a lot of stuff you've already heard a few decades ago.

same for Deschanel, actually. she's hot on the trail of 70's folk women, but after a brief but pleasant listening diversion, it seems better to just throw on Joni Mitchell or Carly Simon, etc. and listen to what she self-admittedly idolizes and copies.