You know how they say 'Don't give up the day job!' well if you're James Mercer, frontman and songwriter for the Shins or producer/artist Danger Mouse (a.k.a. Brian Burton) this particular idiom need not apply. Sure they're both brilliant in their own right but with Broken Bells - the full length results of their creative collaboration - they pretty much eclipse most of their output to date.
These bold words are not written lightly. This reviewer has an overwhelming affection for The Shins and has enjoyed Danger Mouse's other collaborative efforts to date Dark Night of the Soul in particular.
There's a melodic but retro vibe to the songs on Broken Bells perhaps drawn from a shared fascination with The Zombies, Love and the more experimental peripheries of 60's-psyche pop. The analog synth swooshes merge with carefully picked guitar lines and Mercer's falsetto, occasionally wurlitzer-washed, vocals wouldn't be out of place amongst some Bacharach & David numbers, sound tracking a string of cool 60's films.
But this isn't an exercise in retro chic and mimicry there's a ghostly mellow vibe to most of the songs on this album but they still pack a spooky punch. It's mostly introverted, quiet and low key with the pair exploring the space-rock within. And it's a stunning result. Recommended you turn it up loud(ish) and sit and just listen. It asks no more than that and it's the very least they deserve.
www.brokenbells.com
www.mekongdelta.co.uk
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