There are some combinations of things that seem so head-smackingly obvious in retrospect, it’s hard to believe it wasn’t always that way. Be it chocolate and peanut butter, Neil Patrick Harris and the Tonys, or bacon and everything, some things just perfectly complement each other. Add to that list Aimee Mann and Ted Leo. The two musicians have joined forces for a new band, The Both, and a self-titled album.

Mann is best known for being the former leader of ’Til Tuesday as well as her 20-year solo career, while Leo is best known for fronting The Pharmacists and for his occasional solo excursions. It was during one such solo jaunt that Leo opened up for Mann on a string of tour dates. That led to combined performances during Leo’s sets and eventually bloomed into The Both. The division of labor is pretty much split down the middle with both sharing lead and background vocals, while Leo handles guitar duties and Mann holds down the bass. Guest drummer Scott Seiver joins the duo, but isn’t considered a member proper.

The combination of the two artists may seem like a head-scratcher for those who only know Mann as quiet and folksy and Leo as a frantic rocker. The truth is that the two have more common ground than one might realize. Leo’s solo acoustic songs would sit fairly well in the Mann catalog, and Mann’s rockier numbers would sound fairly comfortable coming from Leo. As a result, The Both (SuperEgo Records) is the perfect balance between the two. There’s no sense of a sonic or lyrical compromise. Instead, each musician seems to push the other into places that they wouldn’t normally go, but aren’t out of character. Leo is a bit more precise with his lyrics and delivery; Mann is looser with her vocals and gets a little dirty and distorted on the bass. It’s like the unveiling of hidden skill sets.

But The Both also lets both of them do what their fans know them for best. One could argue that Leo’s guitar playing may be sharper and more muscular than even on his own records. Meanwhile, Mann’s vocals add a touch of lived in believability. However, one unexpected element is how well their voices combine and complement each other. They coalesce so seamlessly it’s hard to believe that this hasn’t been happening for years. That also goes for the project as a whole. From the country leaning of The Both’s “origin” song, “Milwaukee,” to the straight ahead rockers and giddy poppy numbers, The Both delivers with an unfussy, unselfconscious quality that more established groups would be jealous to have. Keep your fingers crossed that this is the beginning of a longterm relationship.