She & Him
Overview
Some people like Christmas movies and will watch the same ones over and over again, every year. I get that, but for me, it is TV shows. Streaming services have made it simple to line up a few programs and revisit holiday memories with the gang at Cheers or in Scranton with the Dunder Mifflin crew. One of my favorites is New Girl. Zoey Deschanel is cheery as an elf, and that’s what the holidays are about.
She & Him is a musical collaboration between Zoey Deschanel and M. Ward. This Christmas album combines her joyful optimism with his smooth guitar solos. The result is an enjoyable romp through some classic tunes. There are no original songs here; it is all revisions of tracks like “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and “Silver Bells.” As an added treat, having a female lead on “Baby It’s Cold Outside” lets you enjoy the tune without the accompanying ick factor that comes with male-led versions.
Vibe
This album is mistletoe, candy canes, and colorful lights. It’s not interested in disguising itself as anything other than a Christmas album. You play this at the party where you don’t need folks focusing on the music—you want them laughing and tapping their feet while enjoying the company of the other guests. Zoey Deschanel injects her trademark happiness into the music, and is a better singer than you would expect her to be as well.
Companion Album
Let’s Dance by David Bowie features a young Stevie Ray Vaughan on lead guitar. But in this setting, we are less interested in the blistering guitar solos and more focused on the danceability. Bowie was aiming for commercial success when he created this universally acclaimed masterpiece. It’s Bowie’s best selling album and it’s nearly impossible not to bounce along with these power pop tunes. It’s a great party album that keeps the people moving.
Espresso Martini
Another trick to keep people universally moving is to introduce espresso to the equation. The Espresso Martini is a fantastic option to bring a caffeine jolt while also maintaining the sophistication of a delicate martini glass.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Vodka
- 1 oz Brewed Espresso (room temperature)
- ½ oz Kahlua
- ½ oz Simple Syrup
Directions
- Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice.
- Shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
- Strain into a martini glass.
