Broken Bells

Meyrin Fields EP

Columbia

Apr 22, 2011 Web Exclusive By Danielle Sills Bookmark and Share


A little more than a year after Broken Bells—the inspired duo of The Shins' James Mercer and Danger Mouse—released an album together, the Meyrin Fields EP further showcases their glitchy-yet-melodic space pop. Only two of the four songs are technically new, but quality is what counts here. Crunchy and distant but still endearing, the duo breaks down technology to make it sound breezy.

"An Easy Life" swings by like a hammock on a hot day, albeit with blasts of guitar feedback melded into the background. Each of the songs has an ominous sense of uneasiness, despite the fluid melodies and easy-to-catch-on choruses. "Windows" sneaks up with syncopated bass, unnerving harmonies, and an abrupt guitar solo finale that ends the song with no warning. Apocalyptic title track "Meyrin Fields" is undoubtedly the best of the bunch. And closing number "Heartless Empire" appropriately fades into a wall of fuzz, blurring into the spacey oblivion Broken Bells create best. (www.brokenbells.com)

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