User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Volume One
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Volume One Image
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 51 Ratings

  • Summary: Actress Zooey Deschanel teams up with M Ward on this debut album.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. The A.V. Club
    91
    The overall effect is an endearing, successful addition to Ward's never-ending quest to assimilate every single populist song form of the 20th century.
  2. No Ripcord
    80
    Warm and elegant, careful but not calculated, Ward's production stands perfectly alongside his solo releases in terms of sound, style and impact.
  3. Billboard
    80
    Luckily, [the a bland name and album title are] the most awkward things about this surprisingly rewarding collection of dusky, mesquite-flavored torch songs.
  4. Village Voice
    70
    There's nothing offensive about anything on Volume One, which, with its catchy melodies, universally appealing lyrics, and mellow production, might just be a hit.
  5. Dusted Magazine
    70
    Slight doubts about whether or not Zooey Deschanel is the best person to be singing these songs aside, Volume One is pretty much spot-on.
  6. Slant Magazine
    70
    Volume One ought to provide plenty of replays for fans of either artist.
  7. Uncut
    60
    Where the album suffers, however--especially in comparision to the Jenny Lewis record--is the absence of any real lyrical verve or personality. [Aug 2008, p.94]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 27 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 20
  3. Negative: 1 out of 20
  1. AshlynS.
    Jun 15, 2008
    10
    A consistently twangy, folky album of this caliber is hard to find these days. I am impressed by the talent heard here.
  2. EvanT.
    Aug 7, 2008
    10
    Incredible debut...looking forward to volume 2!
  4. godwinkent888
    Oct 5, 2014
    10
    Love this album... it's short, sweet, cheeky and Zooey's cute vocals shines through the fun instrumentation throughout the album. 10/10 andLove this album... it's short, sweet, cheeky and Zooey's cute vocals shines through the fun instrumentation throughout the album. 10/10 and highly recommended!… Collapse
  5. JoshY.
    Apr 9, 2008
    9
    Pure beauty and art.
  6. Vampire25
    Mar 28, 2011
    8
    Zooey Deschanel is one of my favorite singers. Her voice is just absolutely gorgeous. Not to mention she's amazingly gorgeous herself. VolumeZooey Deschanel is one of my favorite singers. Her voice is just absolutely gorgeous. Not to mention she's amazingly gorgeous herself. Volume One is quite a great album. Every track sounds great. It has hooky melodies and beautiful choruses. The opener "Sentimental Heart" is the stand out track on this record. The lyrics are folk poetry and it really adds to the quality to this album. All In All, Volume One is a joyous listen. B+… Expand
  7. DanB.
    Apr 16, 2008
    8
    Listened to it about 5 times now and it's lovely. Hints of the Beatles (and I'm not talking about the covers), and 60s (or 50s?) Listened to it about 5 times now and it's lovely. Hints of the Beatles (and I'm not talking about the covers), and 60s (or 50s?) girl bands, and country, wrapped up in some sorta Brooklyn indie pop.… Expand
  8. RobR.
    Mar 24, 2008
    2
    Snooze fest.

See all 20 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

91
#91 Most Discussed Album of 2008

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 If I don't make it, I love u - Still House Plants
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
92 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
90 1989 (Taylor's Version) - Taylor Swift
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
90 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Black Bayou - Robert Finley
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
88 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Hey Panda - The High Llamas
88 Orquídeas - Kali Uchis
88 The Past Is Still Alive - Hurray for the Riff Raff
87 Filthy Underneath - Nadine Shah
87 i/o - Peter Gabriel
87 Blue Lips - ScHoolboy Q
87 Bright Future - Adrianne Lenker
All Current Music »