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Late to the game I know, but last year I was introduced to The Shins. A group of guys who treat their music like works of art. Their albums tell stories, their lyrics are thoughtful and their sound is all their own. Their songs were the type that you can get lost in; perfect for a long drive in autumn. Led by musical genius James Mercer.

In a contrasting musical universe (yes, there are musical universes) a producer named Brian Burton or better known as DangerMouse broke into my musical conscience with the highly acclaimed Grey Album and of course through Gnarls Barkley fame. The Grey Album was a mashup album of Jay-Z’s Black Album and the Beatles White Album. The album took the timeless lyrics of Jay-Z’s greatest album (yes, it’s better than Reasonable Doubt) and infused it with the beats from an even more timeless masterpiece in the Beatles White Album. The result was foreign, creative and inspiring. It just worked… the end result sounded so natural, like the lyrics and the beats were made for each other all along.

When I heard that Mercer and DangerMouse were collaborating on an album I was instantly a fan. The result is their group entitled debut album under the name Broken Bells. I only get to say this 3-4 times a year, but this is an album that I can put in my changer and listen to all the way through on repeat. It’s phenomenal. Get it.

(Side Note: Isn’t it interesting how Cee-Lo (from Gnarls Barkley) and James Mercer have somewhat similar voices? High and kinda whiny? Makes me think that Prince and DangerMouse NEED to get together and make some music!)

Thanks to Katherine B for introducing me to The Shins, Tyler B and Jesse B for heads up on the recent collabo.