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Broken Bells
American rock band
Broken Bells is an American indie rock band composed of artist-producer Brian Burton and James Mercer, the lead vocalist and guitarist for the indie rock band The Shins. Broken Bells compose and create as a duo, but are joined by Dan Elkan and Jon Sortland when performing live.
The previous live band included Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band sidemen Nate Walcott and Nik Freitas, and Jonathan Hischke and Dan Elkan, both ex-members of Hella. Following their 2010 self-titled debut album, the duo released an EP, Meyrin Fields, in 2011 and their second studio album, After the Disco, in 2014.
In 2022 they released a third studio album, Into the Blue.
Brian Burton and James Mercer decided to work together after meeting at the Roskilde Festival in 2004 and finding they were fans of each other's work. By March 2008, Mercer and Burton began recording together in secret at Burton's Los Angeles–based studio. The project was first announced on September 29, 2009. Burton and Mercer described their material as "melodic, but experimental, too".
American indie rock band composed of artist-producer Brian Burton (better known as ) and James Mercer, the lead vocalist and guitarist for the indie rock band . Founded 2009.
From Discogs (free to use). Their entry
Liner notes
Broken Bells, the records, oldest first
Broken Bells
2010 album
wanted
Meyrin Fields
2011 ep
After the Disco
2014 album
Into the Blue
2022 album
Records from MusicBrainz; covers from the Cover Art Archive.
"The High Road" is a song by American alternative rock duo Broken Bells from their self-titled debut album (2010). Written by James Mercer and Danger Mouse, and produced by the latter, the song was released as the album's lead single on December 22, 2009.
On March 9, 2010, the song was the iTunes Single of the Week, where it was offered for free for one week. The music video for the song was directed by Sophie Muller.
Critical reception
"The High Road" was well received by music critics, who praised the lyrics and song's production. Heather Phares of AllMusic stated the song "melds slick electronic percussion and a searching, minor-key melody into something that echoes the duo's previous work without rehashing it." Shingai of idobi Radio wrote that "'The High Road' serves as a great introduction [for the album], with soothing multi-layered vocals and beautiful lyrics weaving in and out of hypnotizing drum beats, synths and various other instruments." PopMatters' Anthony Lombardi observed, "When Mercer and Burton are on point [...] it works, and works well: opener and lead single, 'The High Road', proves the perfect vantage point, its minor-key melody, noodly synths and...
Development and production
Stone told Rolling Stone that while they were considering tracks for the album, Steve Greenberg played "The High Road" for her. "I thought it sounded good. I'd never heard the song before this and thought I'd give it a try, with a bit of a twist!" In an interview with Billboard magazine, she said, "I think 'High Road' is quite a different one for me. It's still soul but it's got a darker tone to it, certainly in the beginning of the song."
