Whilst Scarlett Johannson has been appearing on the cover of the NME and making videos featuring Salman Rushdie as she sings along to Tom Waits songs, another young Hollywood actress has also been making waves in the music world - albeit quietly, and, it must be said, more proficiently.

I refer to Zooey Deschanel, star of movies including The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Almost Famous and the forthcoming The Happening. Deschanel has sung in a few of her movies, most recently as the cabaret artist in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, and also in Will Ferrell's 'comedy (ahem)' Elf. She demonstrated she possessed a clear, character-rich voice which could knock the socks of more established 'singers' and was itching to be recorded.

For her first Long Player Deschanel has joined forces with alt-country musician M. Ward to form She & Him. So far, so cool. The result does not disappoint. The pair are nigh on pitch perfect for this venture into the world of classic pop/rock, effortlessly blending the sounds of sixties girl groups and Dusty Springfield. Volume 1's third track "This is Not a Test" is the most obvious fusion of these styles and is retro without sounding camp, which just about sums up the entire album.

Other highlights include "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?", which as Rolling Stone rightly pointed out, finds Deschanel sounding incredibly like Carly Simon. It seems her voice is a diverse performer, channelling a variety of styles and coping well with the challenge. "I Was Made For You" is full of catchy choruses and "dum dum de dah" harmonies; an enjoyable Grease-style pop song which you can easily imagine Deschanel donning a prom dress for as she struts her stuff in a fifties musical.

Just to add to the praise, with the exception of the covers, all songs were written by Zooey Deschanel and instantly etch themselves on your brain, charming you from the very first listen. Fellow actor Jason Schwartzmann co-wrote the short ditty "Sweet Darlin'" which only makes me love him that bit more. Complete with hand claps and rolling drums, "Sweet Darlin'" has the feel of vintage soft rock - I'm thinking Fleetwood Mac for today's indie hipsters.

M. Ward proves a credible and well chosen musical partner. His production ensures that the album sounds as though unearthed from a time capsule, traversing the fifties through to the early seventies without missing a beat. Deschanel's cool credentials, already pretty high, are only bolstered by his involvement. Ward has worked with fellow folksters Bright Eyes, Beth Orton and Cat Power, as well as having co-produced Jenny Lewis's "Rabbit Fur Coat". There are moments on Volume 1 which are reminiscent of Lewis's album; but this effort has a much more upfront pop feel - it feels younger in spirit somehow.

It's telling that the weaker tracks are the covers, which include a cover of The Beatles' "I Should Have Known Better", accompanied by luau-style guitars and bongos, and Smokey Robinson's "You Really Got A Hold On Me". The duo just about get away with it - but the songs lack the spark you hear elsewhere on the album and are perilously close to being twee minus the charm of the other tracks.

So. Zooey Deschanel. Indie movie star pin up who can also cut it in front of a mike. You'd want to hate her if she weren't so damn good. Forget the hype around Scarlett Johannson's take on Tom Waits - Zooey Deschanel is the real deal.

She & Him - Volume One on amazon.com

Volume One on amazon.co.uk

Zooey Deschanel on IMDb

She & Him Myspace
She & Him Official Website

By: Lindsey Davis