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Monday, December 28, 2009

Check It. New Broken Bells.

All the Shins fans (here's looking at you, Zach Braff) know the story: frontman James Mercer up and unexpectedly fired the rest of the band earlier this year, for unknown reasons other than reported "aesthetic differences." The new Shins now consist of members of other bands like Modest Mouse and the Fruit Bats, and they're expected to put out an album early next year.

But what has Mercer been up to in the meanwhile? Putting down some tracks for Broken Bells, his also-new side project with producer-performer (best known for being one half of Gnarls Barkley and for producing the awesome The Grey Album) Danger Mouse.

Broken Bells was, too, an unexpected move at first--a seemingly random side-step for the acoustic-pop player to dip into sonic beats--but thanks to this just-released single, "The High Road," one might be right in thinking Mercer is taking the right steps after all. Listen below (or download for free at brokenbells.com):



Broken Bells is set to release their self-titled debut in March. Has Mercer made the right moves in taking his high road?

-- Chau Tu

4 comments:

  1. WEB SHERIFF
    Who You Gonna Call
    Tel 44-(0)208-323 8013
    Fax 44-(0)208 323 8080
    websheriff@websheriff.com
    www.websheriff.com

    Hi Chau Tu,

    On behalf of Columbia Records, Monotone and Broken Bells, many thanks for plugging "Broken Bells" / the artists’ eponymous album on your site (street date 9th March) ... thanks, also, on behalf of the label, management and artists for not posting any pirate links to unreleased (studio) material and, if you / your readers want good quality, non-pirated, preview tracks, then full length versions of "The High Road" (as already featured by you) and "Vaporize" are available for fans and bloggers to link to / post / host etc at www.brokenbells.com ... .. for further details of the new album, special pre-orders, on-line promotions, videos and 2010 shows, check-out the official site, as well as the artists’ MySpace at www.myspace.com/brokenbells and YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/brokenbells ... .. and keep an eye on these official sources for details of further news, preview material and on-line promotions.

    Thanks again for your plug.

    Regards & Season’s Greetings,

    WEB SHERIFF

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  2. Thanks Chau! I would have never listened to this but I really like it.

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  3. You seem like a pretty rad chick. Let's hangout.

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  4. Also, Mercer and Danger Mouse's first collaboration was on two tracks for the Sparklehorse/David Lynch 'Dark Night of the Soul' project. "Star Eyes" and "Insane Lullaby". Anticipating Danger Mouse projects is one of my favorite pastimes and this is sure to be a good 'n. Thanks!

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