A new sound, seemingly out of the blue, became inescapable to me just a couple of months ago. Every time I heard a song and thought to myself “hey that was pretty good…” it turned out to be them. It all became clear when a DJ on KEXP explained this phenomenon for me: Broken Bells is a new collaborative project formed by James Mercer, lead singer of the Shins, and Brian Burton – better known as DJ Dangermouse. I have a lot of respect for both of these artists - and it appears that I’m not the only one. Broken Bells sold out The Showbox at the Market, one of Seattle’s larger venues, long before the show on Tuesday evening.
A substantial but not overwhelming line formed around the corner of the Showbox, with fans waiting patiently in the Seattle rain. Observing the audience forming inside, a couple of things struck me as out of the ordinary. The age group seemed to stray from the usual 18-25 crowd, with a great range of fans who looked either underage or old enough to be their moms and dads. For the most part, the kids were forming groups in front of the stage, and the farther back sections of the venue were filling to the brim with those seeking adult refreshments to complement their concert-going experience.
Even the members of the opening band, The Morning Benders, appeared to be underage. Any initial doubts about how talented an act this youthful could be faded immediately with their first song. They were smart to open with pieces that showcased their instrumental abilities, and the audience cheered them on enthusiastically. They proved that they had great stage presence, but would that be enough to make anyone remember them in a month’s time? The second half of the set, which became increasingly 50s-pop-inspired, answered this question with an emphatic “yes.” The added harmonies and sugary lyrics conjured up images in my mind of the Beatles, and who could ask for a better comparison? Mercer would later announce on stage that they are the Morning Benders’ biggest fans.
The general standing room became increasingly dense as Broken Bells prepared to take the stage. To the crowd’s delight, not two but seven musicians took the stage, in front of funky geometric shapes projected on a backdrop. They tore right into the tunes, with little introduction or stage banter between songs. While Mercer’s voice was distinctly familiar, I found his lower range to be even more enjoyable than what I had been accustomed to hearing in the Shins. The lovable strain he previously used was replaced by a more mature, polished sound. Band members, particularly Burton, who was primarily on drums, alternated instruments throughout the evening. With both consistency and variety, they accurately portrayed themselves as the musical veterans that everyone had expected to see. Just as I had hoped, Burton and Mercer’s yin-and-yang relationship kept the music fresh. I especially enjoyed the keyboard-driven “Sailing to Nowhere” and their beautiful interpretation of “Crimson and Clover.” Perhaps these highlights should have been saved for the encore, which was somewhat of a letdown in comparison to the energy that they had built up in the main set.
Both of the masterminds behind Broken Bells were doing well with their previous musical endeavors. However, this new melding of sounds has allowed each of them to break out of their specific niches, which accounts for the wide audience they were able to draw to the sold-out show. Now that they have proven themselves, the creative possibilities are endless. I am curious to see if their success will inspire other seemingly different artists to team up in the near future.
