Broken Bells – S/T (2010) [Columbia] // Grade: A-

On a first listen, the collaboration between producer Dangermouse (Brian Burton) and Shins frontman James Mercer, titled Broken Bells, is a pleasant enough listen, mixing folk-spirited vocals with light electronica. Both parties have long ago proven themselves timeless talents, and it’s this skill that allows the project to stand out, listen after listen.

Cinematic overtones provided by Burton set the stage for Mercer’s thoughtful and radiant lyrics. Across the album, Mercer’s voice carefully rolls over Burton’s sweeping mix of electronically manipulated rock instrumentation, an ebb and flow of gleaming melody.

There’s few surprises across Broken Bells, the album is polished and pristine while remaining completely straight-forward. The lead single, “The High Road”, is one big, dense mass of indie folk, but when Burton gets his hands on the knobs, the dark raincloud parts to sunny skies. From one track to the next, Burton and Mercer work in synchronicity, building to an eventual end with “The Mail & Misery” that tentatively steps into a broader pop direction.

- Scrooge McFuck