M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel are no strangers to love songs; their She & Him debut is rife with heartbreak '50s girl-group ballads. And with "Never Had Nobody Like You," a song from M. Ward's upcoming solo album, Hold Time (out Feb.

Maybe this is what Ben Gibbard had in mind when his band Death Cab for Cutie named its 2005 album Plans?

Everyone takes notice when music heavyweights start talking smack. But what about when those trash talkers decide to play nice?  Below, a recent collection of musical kindness. Can it be that Barack Obama is inspiring everyone?

The Virgin Mobile Festival did the time warp when actress-turned-siren Zooey Deschanel and indie-folkie M. Ward brought their nostalgic brand of folk-pop to life. Enjoy streaming clips of the dulcet duo performing sweet tunes from their debut, this year's Volume 1, below.

Since its release in the spring, Volume One, the first album from She & Him, has been something of an under-the-radar surprise. While some may have wanted to dismiss this folksy collaboration between indie troubadour M.

Granted, it was a short week, and one that reminded us of summer's impending arrival -- mmm, barbecue -- but we did learn many things this week, with lessons coming from Weezer's Brian Bell, the commenters over at Deadspin, New Jersey punk rockers the Gaslight Anthem, pop duo She & Him, and... another pop duo, the Submarines. Here's a rundown.