PRINTHear This: Broken Bells and Gorillaz
Vox provides a brief rundown of the latest and greatest musical creations hitting record store shelves.
March 18, 2010 | 12:00 a.m. CST
Broken Bells by Broken Bells
The latest unexpected collaboration to hit the indie scene with a bolt of talent is Broken Bells. Its debut album features Gnarls Barkley’s Danger Mouse creating melodic, rhythmic sounds with The Shins’ frontman James Mercer. The synth-infused groove of the album’s opener “The High Road” sets the tone with backbeat hand claps and enigmatic lyrics. The experimental track list will satisfy any listener longing to hear The Shins go electronic.
Plastic Beach by Gorillaz
The virtual band of what appear to be monkeys, created by lead singer Damon Albarn and illustrator Jamie Hewlett, is still the first and best of its kind. With Plastic Beach, the cartoon rock band has wholeheartedly returned to form with haunting melodies (“Rhinestone Eyes”), smooth hip-hop (“White Flag”) and a veritable rockucopia of guest stars (Snoop Dogg, Lou Reed, Mos Def) in tow.
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