U92 Debut LP: ‘Broken Bells’

Welcome to Debut LP from U92, a weekly review of alternative music from the official campus radio station.

James Mercer of The Shins and Brian Burton, aka Danger Mouse, have joined forces to create Broken Bells.

Mercer is the lead vocalist for his Grammy-nominated indie rock band out of Albuquerque, N.M. Three albums in, with a major nod in the film "Garden State," The Shins have become a force in the music industry.

Burton came to fruition with his pivotal mix of The Beatles' the "White Album" and Jay-Z's "The Black Album," subtly named "The Grey Album."

Since then, he's produced for the likes of the Gorillaz, The Black Keys and Beck. Also one half of Gnarls Barkley, Burton is now forging ahead with a new project: Broken Bells.

Self-titled, "Broken Bells" plays out like the soundtrack to an indie movie.

It takes a few listens to fully appreciate all of the little instrumental intricacies that went into forming this beautiful storyline, but this chill album will grow to be more than forgettable.

"High Road" is a hypnotic tune, benefiting from a backing chorus and wandering electric piano.

"Vaporize" doesn't seem like much at first, but once the vocal solo hits, it sings the most telling part of the album.

The album's theme could be summed up in the following lyrics: "Darling we've been through this, so if you wanna follow me you should know. I was lost then, and I'm lost now, and I doubt I'll ever know which way to go."

That line stands apart from other lyrics and highlights how all we can do is wander through life with enough confidence to live while doing so.

With the exception of "The Ghost Inside," the middle of the album is a letdown.

It redeems itself with the final two tracks, "Mongrel Heart" and "The Mall and Misery."

"Heart" breaks into a Mexican standoff interlude with harpsichord and a powerful trumpet.

"The Mall and Misery" stays upbeat while its vocals tell another story. A creative and catchy end to the album, it makes one forget the things they didn't like previously.

A good first effort, Broken Bells has a long way to come to standout from its peers, but like The Postal Service stood apart from Death Cab for Cutie, Bells is more than an unnecessary side-project.

The album hits stores March 9, but you can hear it before anyone else tonight on the Debut LP at 10 p.m. on 91.7 U92 FM or live online at u92.wvu.edu.

Grade: B-