A Very She & Him Christmas Double Six***

With two successful studio albums under their belt, it was only a matter of time before She & Him went down the novelty route, but M Ward and Zooey Deschanel's take on a multitude of festive classics is more acceptable than authoritative. Opting for a pared-down approach, the majority of these covers rely on Deschanel's gentle voice to carry them over Ward's strummed and plucked guitar and ukulele. The most successful efforts are the songs filled out by multi-part harmonies, as heard on the gorgeous Little Saint Nick. Elsewhere, Baby It's Cold Outsideand Nat King Cole's Christmas Songfeel rather rushed and unfinished, encapsulating the sense that some good ol' Yuletide magic is the special ingredient missing from this album. See sheandhim.com

Download tracks: Little Saint Nick, Sleigh Ride