Broken Bells
Broken Bells
Columbia Records
March 9

By Matt Kiernan

Broken Bells, the duo of James Mercer of The Shins and Brian Burton, otherwise known as Danger Mouse, is a musical outlet that sees the musical heavyweights meeting halfway to make an album that draws upon both artists’ styles while attempting something new.

For an album that’s production was six years in the making, Broken Bells succeeds in combining the genres of indie rock and electronic music for a sound that is fresh and ambitious, similar to the idea of the Gorillaz music.

The first single off the album, “The High Road,” starts off with a mid-tempo snare drum beat and electronic sounds, working its way into Mercer’s poetic singing that reaches peaks of high notes common in his work with The Shins.

The second release, “Vaporize,” may seem like a Mercer solo track in the beginning, but soon sees Mercer reaching a wide range of vocals and the use of phasers, synthesizers and distortion.

“The Ghost Inside,” is a track that would fit right into a Gorillaz album, with electronic beats and a style of singing by Mercer that is similar to Damon Alburn’s high vocals, layered over his normal levels of singing.

What proves Mouse’s willingness to try new things comes with him toning down his usual electronic beat heaviness. Mouse focuses instead on playing a drum kit on his own, giving the songs a nice sense of warmth.

Mercer also tries to level with Mouse by allowing the focus of drumbeats and less electric guitar, although much of the album uses Mercer’s acoustic guitar playing. Mouse’s past as a producer is put into full use with every turn each song takes.

All-star duos have never sounded as refreshing as the band Broken Bells, showing that both artists have the ability to take their music in any direction they wish, as long as they’re up for the challenge.