Brian Burton and James Mercer have presented us with a contemplative and genius album. Brian Burton, aka Danger Mouse, is an artist/producer best known for being half of Gnarls Barkley  and has produced great albums for the likes of Beck and The Black Keys among others. James Mercer is the singer and principle songwriter for Portland indie outfit The Shins. The pair met in 2004 at a Danish music festival and made plans to work together. Broken Bells became a reality in 2009 and was quickly labeled a dark horse collaboration by the press. However, reviews attest to the fact that this was no shot in the dark. The results are pseudo hip-hop for the anti-hero forged by two gifted minds.

Let’s be honest, “The High Road” absolutely rules. Maybe it won’t get airplay rivaling Gnarls’ “Crazy” due to its slower groove but it’s just as profound and soulful. Mercer showcases his vocal range on this track with a lower register verse and a soaring pre-chorus and chorus. A shuffled beat with plenty of ride cymbal will keep your head bobbing.

If you have some heavy pondering to do I suggest throwing on “Vaporize”: “What amounts to a dream anymore/A crude device; A veil on our eyes” but don’t worry for there’s hope: “It’s not too late/To feel a little more alive/Make an escape/Before we start to vaporize” These lyrics grouped with trumpet riffs and full bodied organ make this track a perfect one to get lost in thought to.

I mentioned Mercer showcasing his vocal range earlier but that was an understatement. On “The Ghost Inside” he finds success with a falsetto that sounds entirely calculated. This track is pure fun with handclaps and synth that climbs up and down.

Other album highlights include: “October” and “The Mall & Misery”.