Amazon.com: Broken Bells [+Video]: Broken Bells: MP3 Downloads

	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
	Video: The High Road (Video)	3:51	Album Only

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Customer Reviews

74 Reviews

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(3)

Average Customer Review

4.3 out of 5 stars (74 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A phenomenal pairing, March 9, 2010

By	Jeff Loudon (Nashville, TN) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Broken Bells (Audio CD)

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

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25 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Early Contender for Album of the Year, March 9, 2010

By	Remaster Addict (Baltimore, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Broken Bells [+Video] (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.

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16 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome album, March 9, 2010

By	Shane Hughes (Edmonds, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Broken Bells [+Video] (MP3 Download)

Probably the album of the year so far. Not one bad song on it. The beats are musically interesting and I really like Mercers vocals in the Shins and they are just as good here. Good lyrics too. Definitely buy this one if you want some great music.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars IF YOU LOVE THE SHINS...
This album is a great find! Every song on the album is awesome. I can let the whole album play through and enjoy every minute of it. If you love The Shins... Read more

Published 5 days ago by bostonmommy

5.0 out of 5 stars 1 word: Summery
Just a good "put it on and forget about life" album. Very upbeat showing by Broken Bells. This has quickly become the background noise while I'm at work and/or out with friends... Read more

Published 7 days ago by J. Brown

5.0 out of 5 stars My album of the year (or is it...?)
A bit early to be saying album of 2010 when I'm reviewing in July of that year. I hope I'm wrong, because that would mean there is another album out there EVEN BETTER than this... Read more

Published 13 days ago by mrovich

5.0 out of 5 stars Move aside Shins
To be honest, I hesitated with buying this record for about a month. 30 second clips sometimes are not enough to decide what's good and what's not. Read more

Published 14 days ago by The Tamayo

5.0 out of 5 stars An album for anyone-you won't be disappointed!
Really great album with all the joy and creativity of the Shins and The Gorillaz. Playable all the way through, perfect for just relaxing. Classic Indie.

Published 15 days ago by Natz301

4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting project that's very pleasant to listen to
Though I'm not familiar with the band The Shins (the lead singer of which created this band) but I am familiar with producer/co-writer Danger Mouse, who produced The Gorillaz's... Read more

Published 21 days ago by A Reviewer

5.0 out of 5 stars appeals to many ages
I'm 47...my sons ages 22 and 25 turn me onto new music quite often. This is by far the best cd they've steered me to! Easy to listen to, great lyrics, thoughtful voices. Read more

Published 1 month ago by stessielou

5.0 out of 5 stars Great album!
One of the best albuns I listened nowadays! It's not a 1 or 2 music album, it's all great!

Published 1 month ago by Gus

1.0 out of 5 stars Cannot find the file or help from Amazon
After hours between my son and myself- we still have yet to find the download or any help from the Amazon site. Any suggestions? Read more

Published 1 month ago by Susan D. Hartline

5.0 out of 5 stars I would even go as far as calling it beautiful music
The album really took me by surprise. Listened to it once or twice and wasn't really diggin it. Then I think on the third or fourth time I was just hooked. Read more

Published 1 month ago by R. Wylam

› See all 74 customer reviews...

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