M. Ward and Zooey Deschanels first set of new music in six years, Melt Away: A Tribute to Brian Wilson, is a love letter to one of the duos biggest influences. Since emerging in 2008, She & Him have quietly curated a catalog that nimbly toes the line between innovation and novelty. Unabashed lovers of all things vintage pop -- the pairs self-penned material is sonically congruent with their myriad holiday and cover songs -- the dewy-eyed Melt Away fits snugly into the She & Him canon. Commencing with a genial rendition of Wild Honeys "Darlin," the 14-track set digs deep into the Wilson songbook, with only "Wouldnt It Be Nice," "Dont Worry Baby," and "Do It Again" -- the latter of which features the head Beach Boy himself on lead vocal -- channeling oldies radio. Wards dusty baritone lends itself well to breezy confections like "Kiss Me, Baby" and "Darlin," but not so much to Wilsons more dulcet melodies. For those, he defers to Deschanel, whose rich, Spector-esque harmonies and emotive leads achieve a fluidity that Ward can only muster on the guitar. When the two persuasions collide ("Til I Die," "Dont Talk [Put Your Head on My Shoulder]," "Please Let Me Wonder"), its like a softly swaying hula doll on a deuce coupe dashboard. Despite the occasional misstep, Ward and Deschanels reverence for the source material is evident throughout -- both artists grew up in Southern California. Their renderings of "Dont Worry Baby" and "Wouldnt It Be Nice" may be ramshackle, but much like the originals, theyre delivered with unguarded joy and wide-eyed innocence. ~ James Christopher Monger

Rovi