So I picked up an intern to keep the blog active. I haven’t been great at staying active recently but Rachel will share her thoughts on records every week. Here are her thoughts on Broken Bells:

I really have missed The Shins. What a better band to listen to while in college because they actually give you lyrics to think about. But while I have been wondering about their next album, James Mercer, the lead singer and songwriter for the band has been busy formulating Broken Bells, his so-interesting side project with none other than Brian Burton, a.k.a. Danger Mouse. Danger Mouse first became known with his musicianship and producing in Gnarles Barkley with hit “Crazy,” and since then has been more involved in music than I presumed. He has been behind the scenes with The Black Keys amongst others. But it just so turns out that James and Danger’s decision to work together might be one of the best decisions they have ever made. Danger Mouse’s talent truly pushes the limits of Mercer’s melodically noble voice. Mercer sounds more sophisticated with slightly less playful Shin-like tunes in songs like “The High Road” and “Citizen.” Danger Mouse’s production techniques reveal themselves more-so in songs like “October” and “The Ghost Inside,” yet all tracks make an incredible compilation of psychedelic, hip-hop, and alternative beats. -Rachel

Check out Broken Bells!