KCRW Album Preview: Broken Bells

I stopped by the offices of LA art collective The Masses this weekend and was lucky enough to see a sneak preview of a Broken Bells video they are working on. The collaboration between The Shin’s frontman/ songwriter James Mercer and Grammy-winning producer Brian Burton a/k/aDanger Mouse is certainly going to be one of the most-talked about albums of the year. Watching behind-the-scenes video of them constructing songs in Burton’s home studio, and seeing them perform live, its clear the musicians left their respective comfort zones to create a style that is uniquely theirs as a duo.

On the self-titled album, the two musicians play all the instruments with the exception of a full string section arranged by Daniele Luppi. The 10-song record is a beautiful example of the melding of two talents to create a flow of new material that is distinctive yet filled with a natural appeal.

Check out the album streaming in its entirety here until Tuesday, March 30.

RR