Broken Bells: Broken Bells

Broken Bells
Broken Bells
Columbia Records [2010]









Fire Note Says: Great idea!

Album Review:
I am pretty sure you can't go too wrong with this collaboration of Shins frontman James Mercer and DJ/producer Brian Burton aka Danger Mouse. Together they form Broken Bells and on their debut record the pair reach out a bit from their previous work in the attempt to make something unique. I don't think the album achieves complete individualism but on more than one song the duo bring some of their best work. Mercer's vocals are some of the most distinct in the business and as expected, they shine here. Single "The High Road" will probably rank up there as one of the most likable tracks in 2010 because it just connects on every level. Danger Mouse handles the instrumentation with ease and doses a nice job downplaying the electronics for a more organic sound with piano, organ, drums, synths and bass. I will say again that you really can't go wrong with this duo but Broken Bells does have some smaller issues that hold it back from being a stellar debut. Some of this can be blamed on the tempo, as most tracks fall into the same slow to mid paced foot tapping speed. This is then complicated by some of the same vocal formulas being applied. This approach losses the listener a bit in the middle of the record but overall Broken Bells still succeeds because when it is good - it is really good. Broken Bells is easily a pairing I want to hear more from and honestly this debut grows on you after each listen and is a record you can just let play!

Key Tracks: "The High Road", "October", "Vaporize"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Postal Service
The Shins
The Rural Alberta Advantage

Official Broken Bells Website
Broken Bells MySpace
Broken Bells Facebook
Columbia Records

-Reviewed by Sam DaMatta