Broken Bells
If you’ve previously been a fan of The Shins, Gnarls Barkley, Beck or Gorillaz, the following “bromance collaboration” will have you begging for more.
James Mercer (singer-guitarist for The Shins) and legendary producer Brian Burton (aqua Danger Mouse) have stepped apart from their main projects to bring us an incredible fusion of analog-synth, mellow beats, and powerful melodies all bottled into one side project they call Broken Bells.
Both Mercer and Burton were searching for a new way to express their full creative desires through their chosen medium, bad-ass music. It was obvious that both Mercer and Burton were discomforted by the thought of continuing with their normal routine. Rolling Stone quotes Burton saying, “With Broken Bells, I was free to express any idea I had.” Having previously felt like more of a hired gun, a collaborative effort with Mercer was freeing, and it shows heavily in both artists uninhibited approach to Broken Bells.
So what are you waiting for? Grab the album, recline in your comfiest furniture, and sip an Italian soda. If that’s not your scene, a Pabst Blue Ribbon is another solid drink alternative. If you’re feeling crunched for time, check out the tracks, “The High Road,” “Vaporize,” and “Sailing To Nowhere.” But seriously, with a total running time of about 35 minutes, listen to the whole thing.