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| Song Title | Time | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Play | 1. The High Road | 3:52 | $1.29 |  |
| Play | 2. Vaporize | 3:29 | $1.29 | |
| Play | 3. Your Head Is On Fire | 3:02 | $1.29 | |
| Play | 4. The Ghost Inside | 3:18 | $1.29 | |
| Play | 5. Sailing To Nowhere | 3:46 | $1.29 | |
| Play | 6. Trap Doors | 3:19 | $1.29 | |
| Play | 7. Citizen | 4:29 | $1.29 | |
| Play | 8. October | 3:38 | $1.29 | |
| Play | 9. Mongrel Heart | 4:23 | $1.29 | |
| Play | 10. The Mall & Misery | 4:07 | $1.29 | |
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
87 of 93 people found the following review helpful
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 Download
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.
7 of 7 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
The Mall & Misery is a great song!!!
I give this album a solid 4 out of 7 stars. The mall and misery is my favorite song. It has sort of a 80's sound to it and it's one of those songs that gets stuck in your head. Read more
Published 1 month ago by chrissy
Shins with muscle
Broken Bells features the acoustic guitar and peerless voice of James Mercer, the heart of The Shins, and the production, drums, bass, and whatever else may be required of Danger... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Wayne S.
Great Album
I am impressed with every song on this album...my teenager likes also. Impressive when a band can cross multiple generations.
Published 5 months ago by Troy E. Collison
it's a vacation for my brain
I am a big fan of Beck's Mutations which this reminds me of. I found this through spotify and it is my top spotifind (yes I coined that term ;). Read more
Published 6 months ago by Richard Shannon
Broken Bells
Fantastic CD. Heard the clips and decided to get it, no regrets! Hope they come up with a new album.
Published 6 months ago by Anthy
Broken Bells
"The High Road" was the song and the sound that attracted me to this group and album. Sorry to say, that it didn't follow through with the sound I had hoped to hear.. Read more
Published 8 months ago by chesapeakegirlsam
Like Music To My Ears... LITERALLY
This entire album is an epic piece of musical art.
From the moment I wake up to the time I go to bed, this album is on repeat. Read more
From the moment I wake up to the time I go to bed, this album is on repeat. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Gilberto Gonzalez
Catchy, but cheesy!
This pop album, full of sweet sounds and fun effects, is a good listen, but could've been better. It screamed "potential" with tracks like "The High Road", "Trap Doors" "Vaporize",... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Fallout94
It grows on you
At first it was prosaic.
But careful listening and then you love it. Each song grows on you, like a vine, and wraps around you. Read more
But careful listening and then you love it. Each song grows on you, like a vine, and wraps around you. Read more
Published 9 months ago by M. Weaver
When the Shins "broke up" I was sad...
...when I discovered this Album I was glad!
Probably the best "follow-up album" to The Shin's Wincing the Night Away. Read more
Probably the best "follow-up album" to The Shin's Wincing the Night Away. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Fitschen
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