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Editorial Reviews
2010 debut album from this duo featuring James Mercer (The Shins) and Brian Burton (AKA Danger Mouse). The album features 10 melodically seductive and psychologically provocative songs co-written and performed by Mercer and Burton. The album features Mercer on vocals, guitars and bass while Burton plays organ, drums, piano, synths and bass. The pair play all the instruments on the album with the exception of a full string section arranged by Daniele Luppi.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
90 of 96 people found the following review helpful
By J. Loudon
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
When James Mercer, singer/guitarist for the Shins, and producer Brian Burton (Danger Mouse) announced in the fall of 2009 that they would be releasing an album together as Broken Bells, it instantly became one of the most anticipated alternative albums of 2010. Instead of becoming just another Danger Mouse collaboration saturated with samples, every instrument was played and recorded in the studio.
Mercer went through some evolution for this record as well. Although his work on the Shins' records often required high register vocals, his voice breaks into the falsetto range on Broken Bells as well as dropping into the lower depths of his capability.
Where many collaboration albums often fall into a competition for influence, Mercer and Burton embrace each other's strengths which results in an extremely well balanced blend of the two artists' styles. The first track, "The High Road," opens sounding very much like another Gorillaz track. This should come as no surprise since Danger Mouse produced their second record, but after twenty five seconds of waiting for Damon Albarn's trademark vocals, the music transitions into a track much more comparable to the Shins' previous releases.
On the following track, "Vaporize," Mercer is given the introduction before Burton's influence fades into the mix.
Easily the catchiest song on the album, "The Ghost Inside" is Danger Mouse's only true feature song. With a beat resembling that of "Kids With Guns" on the Gorillaz album Demon Days, and falsetto vocals reminiscent of Burton's other major project, Gnarls Barkley, "The Ghost Inside" is as close as Broken Bells gets to a club worthy hit. Even though Mercer's vocals are not as distinctive on this track as they are on the rest of the album, his presence is still felt and the final verse loses the falsetto, giving Mercer's voice a chance to shine.
Time will tell if Mercer and Burton join forces for a follow up to this incredible debut, but their chemistry is undeniable. Broken Bells is a short record, ringing in at less than forty minutes, but there isn't a single track that hasn't been carefully crafted by the two artists. Mercer's distinct voice over a live Danger Mouse instrumentation is enough to engage anyone who has enjoyed past work by either artist and if it does turn out to be the duo's only release, it will not be forgotten.
Similar Artists: The Shins, Gorillaz, Beck
Track Suggestion: The Ghost Inside
Mercer went through some evolution for this record as well. Although his work on the Shins' records often required high register vocals, his voice breaks into the falsetto range on Broken Bells as well as dropping into the lower depths of his capability.
Where many collaboration albums often fall into a competition for influence, Mercer and Burton embrace each other's strengths which results in an extremely well balanced blend of the two artists' styles. The first track, "The High Road," opens sounding very much like another Gorillaz track. This should come as no surprise since Danger Mouse produced their second record, but after twenty five seconds of waiting for Damon Albarn's trademark vocals, the music transitions into a track much more comparable to the Shins' previous releases.
On the following track, "Vaporize," Mercer is given the introduction before Burton's influence fades into the mix.
Easily the catchiest song on the album, "The Ghost Inside" is Danger Mouse's only true feature song. With a beat resembling that of "Kids With Guns" on the Gorillaz album Demon Days, and falsetto vocals reminiscent of Burton's other major project, Gnarls Barkley, "The Ghost Inside" is as close as Broken Bells gets to a club worthy hit. Even though Mercer's vocals are not as distinctive on this track as they are on the rest of the album, his presence is still felt and the final verse loses the falsetto, giving Mercer's voice a chance to shine.
Time will tell if Mercer and Burton join forces for a follow up to this incredible debut, but their chemistry is undeniable. Broken Bells is a short record, ringing in at less than forty minutes, but there isn't a single track that hasn't been carefully crafted by the two artists. Mercer's distinct voice over a live Danger Mouse instrumentation is enough to engage anyone who has enjoyed past work by either artist and if it does turn out to be the duo's only release, it will not be forgotten.
Similar Artists: The Shins, Gorillaz, Beck
Track Suggestion: The Ghost Inside
33 of 39 people found the following review helpful
Format:MP3 Music
Danger Mouse is on a roll and this collaboration with James Mercer of The Shins is beautifully unexpected. I was expecting something similar to his work on Beck's Modern Guilt, Gnarl Barkley, Gorillaz, or Damon Albarn's Good, Bad & the Queen.
Danger Mouse (aka Brian Burton) plays his own instruments rather than sampling while bringing the same melodic intensity. Mercer brings his signature vocals. Together, the result is immediate and exactly what 2009 was lacking IMO.
Worth the price at any price.
Danger Mouse (aka Brian Burton) plays his own instruments rather than sampling while bringing the same melodic intensity. Mercer brings his signature vocals. Together, the result is immediate and exactly what 2009 was lacking IMO.
Worth the price at any price.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Broken Bells is producer du jour Dangermouse's latest musical venture comprising himself and vocalist James Mercer from Indie band The Shins. The pair say songwriting was shared 50/50 and the result is an album comprising 10 tracks, which are experimental and melodic, with sonic variety.
Everything stands out really, from opening "The high road" with guitars and soothing harmonies, the acoustic Beatles-meets-U2 "Vaporize", to the groovy falsetto-sung "The ghost inside" (which wouldn't sound out of place on Gorillaz new CD).
The psychedelic "Sailing to nowhere" is delicate with ghostly harmonies, "October" has a lovely piano refrain, while "The mall & misery" has a Middle Eastern feel.
My favourite track is "Mongrel heart" with a wavy groovy baseline, cascading harmonies, and a string/mariachi horn break, simply stupendous! Hopefully, we'll be hearing more from the pair.
Everything stands out really, from opening "The high road" with guitars and soothing harmonies, the acoustic Beatles-meets-U2 "Vaporize", to the groovy falsetto-sung "The ghost inside" (which wouldn't sound out of place on Gorillaz new CD).
The psychedelic "Sailing to nowhere" is delicate with ghostly harmonies, "October" has a lovely piano refrain, while "The mall & misery" has a Middle Eastern feel.
My favourite track is "Mongrel heart" with a wavy groovy baseline, cascading harmonies, and a string/mariachi horn break, simply stupendous! Hopefully, we'll be hearing more from the pair.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
I expected more.
Only has a couple of good songs, which I'm sure you have already heard. I really expected the rest of the album to be of the quality as those songs. How silly of me. Read more
Published 4 days ago by kirfy
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Shins are always great!
This CD is amazing. Every song is a work of art and it is especially nice to listen to when creating art.
Published 19 days ago by Leslie Trippy
5.0 out of 5 stars
great music !!!
I can't get enough of the Broken Bells.The music is awesome.You won't be disappointed with this cd every song is great.Can't wait for their next cd.
Published 1 month ago by F. Grimes
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good CD
Not all I was hoping for but perhaps it's still growing on me... don't know if they have anything newer that I may like better.
Published 1 month ago by Paige E. Mitchell-buck
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great new band and new sound!
It was hard for me to get used to this album, but once I got into it I cant stop listening to it. There are a couple of songs which I think are genius: The Ghost Inside and... Read more
Published 1 month ago by R. Dumont
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting combination
Love listening to this album, although, after awhile the songs begin to blend together. Would definitely recommend anything by Danger Mouse.
Published 2 months ago by Benjamin Watson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Danger Mouse Should produce everything
DM teams up with the Shins' James Mercer and gets 5 stars from me - beautiful music that grooves and sinks into your bones. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Darth Presley
5.0 out of 5 stars
Broken Bells
I bought this album for my 17 yr old son, I play it over and over again, it's addicting! I guess I raised my son to have excellent taste!
Published 4 months ago by lisa
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great album!
I don't completely love every song on this album, but the ones that are great are REALLY great. I couldn't stop listening to High Road for a couple months after its release.
Published 4 months ago by C. Brillhart
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Special Find
I remember download the free song of the week 'The High Road' on iTunes. It certainly wasn't popular at first, but it grew on me. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mystery Luver
Listmania!
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