James Mercer and Danger Mouse (a.k.a. Brian Burton), collectively known at Broken Bells, definitely believe that we are not alone. In the video for “Control,” the two perform before footage of space travel, crop circles, images of the earth from space, UFOs, and other signs that there is life out there far beyond our own life on Earth. The combination of real news footage and the footage of the same pink orb that has appeared in every video for tunes from “After The Disco” creates the a cool, interplanetary vibe that fits the spacey “Control” perfectly as Mercer sings about not being in control. The duo resumes its current tour Sept. 26. The video is below the tour dates. 09/26/14 - New York, NY - Rumsey Playfield 09/27/14 - Philadelphia, Pa - Electric Factory 09/28/14 - Richmond, Va - The National 09/29/14 - Nashville, Tn - Ryman Auditorium 10/01/14 - Athens, Ga - Georgia Theatre 10/02/14 - Birmingham,...
- 8/28/2014
- by Melinda Newman
- Hitfix
On the excellent “After the Disco,” Broken Bells —aka Danger Mouse and The Shins’ James Mercer — wonder how we got here. Not physically, but metaphysically. Song after song on the synth pop-driven set asks hard questions for which there are no answers. More consistent than their self-titled 2010 debut, the atmospheric “After the Disco’s” often uplifting synth lines smooth the path for the alienation and loneliness of Mercer’s lyrics. It’s a tough album to listen to at times because there’s nothing but cold comfort, and not much of that, as Mercer touches again and again on the distance between the...
- 2/4/2014
- Hitfix
Broken Bells' Danger Mouse (Brian Burton) recently told Rolling Stone that the duo's sophomore effort, After the Disco, is "a pretty sad record." But Mouse and his counterpart, The Shins' James Mercer, go beyond melancholy in their second studio album, as they explore deep, dark themes with a space-rock sound. Out Feb. 4, After the Disco consists of 11 psych-pop tracks -- a modest release largely on par with the duo’s self-titled debut, which received a 2011 Grammy nomination for the best alternative music album. Photos: Grammys 2014: Best and Worst Moments Reviews of the album are mixed
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- 2/4/2014
- by Kyle Jaeger
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“You gotta hear this one song. It’ll change your life, I swear.” With that hyperbolic promise, Natalie Portman put a pair of headphones on Zach Braff’s head in Garden State, and the life-changing tune in question — “New Slang” by The Shins — played out onscreen for a memorable spell, the soundtrack to Portman’s winning grin. That film was Braff’s directorial debut, and he’s back at Sundance with his second effort, Wish I Was Here, where The Shins finally get to return the favor: The very first song that plays over the credits is an original composition by frontman James Mercer.“My trick, if it's a trick, is to cut the scene really well and show it to the people I'm asking,” Braff said after the premiere at an audience Q&A. “If it moves them, they usually say yes.” (It helps, too, that the Grammy-winning Garden...
- 1/19/2014
- by Kyle Buchanan
- Vulture
Ten years after Garden State became a breakout hit — and the unofficial soundtrack — of the 2004 Sundance Film Festival, Zach Braff returned to Park City yesterday with his long-awaited, Kickstarter-financed follow-up, Wish I Was Here. Braff said when he made Garden State that he “just wanted to write a movie that describes how I felt about being 28 in 2004.” With Wish I Was Here, which he co-wrote with his brother Adam, he’s taken a similar approach. He plays a struggling commercial actor whose judgmental, conservative Jewish father (Mandy Patinkin) is dying of cancer. When he and his overburdened working wife (Kate Hudson...
- 1/19/2014
- by Jeff Labrecque
- EW - Inside Movies
Given his overstuffed and eclectic list of projects – which includes Gorillaz, Gnarls Barkely, Beck, The Black Keys, Norah Jones, and U2 – it's hard to imagine that Danger Mouse has time to prioritize his favorite collaborators, much less choose them. But the songwriter and producer who catapulted mash-ups into the popular consciousness with "The Grey Album," his blend of Jay-z's "Black Album" and The Beatles' "White Album," confesses that Broken Bells, his ongoing partnership with Shins front man James Mercer, ranks high on that extraordinary list. "I’d been waiting a long time to do the second album," Danger Mouse, whose real name is Brian Burton, told Indiewire about "After the Disco," Broken Bells' sophomore release. "It's like my main gig, so I was kind of waiting to put myself creatively all of the way into it." And now that ambition has attracted film talent as well. Burton and Mercer...
- 12/20/2013
- by Todd Gilchrist
- Indiewire
Anton Yelchin and Kate Mara star in a series of great-looking sci-fi shorts called "After the Disco." The films serve as a music video for the band Broken Bells, which consists of Danger Mouse and The Shins' James Mercer.
The films follow a trippy romance that unfolds between Mara and Yelchin. They are swept away into a futuristic landscape, spaceship, and disco. They were directed by Jacob Gentry, who says in an interview with The Verge that the short is based on a story written by Danger Mouse and inspired by sci-fi imagery that Mercer sent him.
"James Mercer was sending me images of Barbarella and Logan’s Run, that sort of late ‘60s/early ‘70s science fiction. The same way we mixed all those visual styles is the same way Broken Bells mixed all the musical styles from every era to make something unique. It has an otherworldly feel.
The films follow a trippy romance that unfolds between Mara and Yelchin. They are swept away into a futuristic landscape, spaceship, and disco. They were directed by Jacob Gentry, who says in an interview with The Verge that the short is based on a story written by Danger Mouse and inspired by sci-fi imagery that Mercer sent him.
"James Mercer was sending me images of Barbarella and Logan’s Run, that sort of late ‘60s/early ‘70s science fiction. The same way we mixed all those visual styles is the same way Broken Bells mixed all the musical styles from every era to make something unique. It has an otherworldly feel.
- 11/27/2013
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
By now you may have seen Part 1 and Part 2 of music crew Broken Bells' mini-film "After the Disco." What you may not know is what Bob Fosse has to do with any of it. Helmed by Jacob Gentry ("The Signal") and starring Kate Mara and Anton Yelchin, this sentimental space journey is both retro-cool and futuristic, a look the director intended with the eye-popping space-scapes against throwback colors schemes and costumes. "Science fiction is my favorite genre," Gentry said in our interview, an it shows. His first go with Broken Bells -- which consists of James Mercer of the...
- 11/27/2013
- Hitfix
Broken Bells has shared the first new single off its forthcoming album "After the Disco" and it's appropriately Bee Gees-meets-psychedelic-dance rock. Listen to "Holding on for Life" below. A project by Shins' frontman James Mercer and producer Danger Mouse, Broken Bells debuted in 2010 with a self-titled album that yielded hits including "The Ghost Inside." The duo will release its follow-up, "After the Disco," in January 2014. "Holding on for Life" is the first complete new track we've heard from Broken Bells, which teased new music in an album announcement trailer and seven-minute sci-fi short film. The song opens with a funky,...
- 11/4/2013
- by Whitney Phaneuf
- Hitfix
Indie bands doing short films is kinda so hot right now. As it becomes increasingly challenging to get noticed above the fray, bands have taken to the medium to give fans and newcomers alike a different way of entry for their music. Of course, Arcade Fire teamed with Spike Jonze for "The Suburbs," while Beach House took the more Diy route and made "Forever Still" themselves. And now a couple more bands are stepping towards cinema with interesting results. First up, Broken Bells—the project from The Shins frontman James Mercer and beatmaker/producer Danger Mouse—have dropped the first part of "After The Disco," which also happens to be name of their forthcoming album. Titled "Part One: Angel and The Fool," this one stars Anton Yelchin and Kate Mara in the reality/fantasy blurring love story that follows a man who yearns to fall in love with space traveler.
- 10/30/2013
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
Danger Mouse and The Shins’ James Mercer have once again joined together as Broken Bells, and will be putting out a new record next January. There’s not much information about it other than a title, After The Disco, plus a video teaser, set in some sort of futuristic desert, soundtracked by something that’s probably a new song. Still, fans should be stoked.
- 10/8/2013
- avclub.com
15) Out Of The Game – Rufus Wainwright
Director: Phillip Andelman
The mere presence of the fantastic Helena Bonham Carter is the reason this video made the list. In this brilliant fantasy of a video the equally fantastic Rufus Wainwright gives a funny performance by embodying different personalities. The two of them together is a visual treat full of wistful moments.
14) The Only Place – Best Coast
Director: Ace Norton
This fun video for the upbeat comeback single from Best Coast accompanies the love letter to California vibe the track has going on perfectly. The California-obsessed duo cruise around the state as we see them indulge in fun activities such as leave their mark, smash TVs and make blended beverages.
13) Blue Velvet – Lana Del Rey
Director: Johan Renck
As the face of H&M’s fashion collection for Autumn 2012, Renck and Lana teamed up for this beautifully eerie, Lynch-esque music video/advert.
12) Lord...
Director: Phillip Andelman
The mere presence of the fantastic Helena Bonham Carter is the reason this video made the list. In this brilliant fantasy of a video the equally fantastic Rufus Wainwright gives a funny performance by embodying different personalities. The two of them together is a visual treat full of wistful moments.
14) The Only Place – Best Coast
Director: Ace Norton
This fun video for the upbeat comeback single from Best Coast accompanies the love letter to California vibe the track has going on perfectly. The California-obsessed duo cruise around the state as we see them indulge in fun activities such as leave their mark, smash TVs and make blended beverages.
13) Blue Velvet – Lana Del Rey
Director: Johan Renck
As the face of H&M’s fashion collection for Autumn 2012, Renck and Lana teamed up for this beautifully eerie, Lynch-esque music video/advert.
12) Lord...
- 1/2/2013
- by Tara Costello
- SoundOnSight
Even after nine albums, Aimee Mann seems to always find a way to keep things fresh. She’s roared through concept albums, Christmas songs and soundtrack work; her last two albums “@#%&*! Smilers” and last week’s drop of “Charmer” have been decidedly pop-driven efforts, this new one with even more sonic layers and even a James Mercer duet. But that’s not the end of Mann’s penchant for collaboration on "Charmer. She had Laura Linney star in the music video for the title track. Jon Hamm, Superchunk drummer Jon Wurster and others showed up for the clip to “Labrador,” directed by Tom Scharpling...
- 9/28/2012
- Hitfix
Kristen is soothing her broken heart with music from The Shins -- on an endless loop! Read on for all the details! In a brand-new interview, Kristen Stewart admits that she "can't stop listening" to The Shins' music -- featuring lyrics that are most likely helping her mend her broken heart after her affair with Rupert Sanders became public! "I can't stop listening to The Shins. James Mercer always nails it. I know every single line of every one of their songs," Kristen, 22, tells InStyle magazine. The chorus of their latest single "Simple Song" is very telling as the lyrics read, "I know that things can really get rough,When you go it alone." Kristen certainly is living her life alone at the moment after she cheated on Robert Pattinson with her Snow White and the Huntsman director. We're not sure he'll ever forgive her. What do You think HollywoodLifers?...
- 8/12/2012
- by Christopher Rogers
- HollywoodLife
Being a kid is a magical time, especially in a Shins video. Being an adult, not so much. In the new clip for “It’s Only Life,” a young boy and his dog are experiencing great summer time adventures, seemingly oblivious to the much darker drama playing itself out. As the boy and his dog play in the woods and at local merchants, the story unspools that he and his pooch may be the only ones remaining uncaptured by a crew of black horse-like creatures, who have nabbed the rest of the town’s denizens, including Shins’ leader James Mercer. [More after the...
- 7/11/2012
- Hitfix
In March, The Shins released their fourth studio album, Port of Morrow, on Columbia Records. James Mercer and company have been busy touring in support of the new release, and it looks like the band will be even busier this fall—they recently released a number of additional dates they’ll be playing in September and October, beginning with a performance at the Paramount Theater in Seattle on Sept. 22. The tour will end at Austin City Limits on Oct. 13....
- 5/29/2012
- Pastemagazine.com
Yesterday, respected Southern California radio station Kcrw hosted The Shins for an hour-long performance on Morning Becomes Eclectic. The James Mercer and the band played in front of a thrilled live audience at Apogee's Berkeley Street Studios and mixed in a number of older tracks from their breakthrough album, Wincing the Night Away, with newer ones from the recently released Port of Morrow.
- 5/4/2012
- Pastemagazine.com
James Mercer’s main project The Shins has a darker aura to its sound on Port Of Morrow, and now one of the album’s most straightforward rock songs has a video to match that atmosphere. The fanciful stop-motion video for "The Rifle's Spiral" features a traveling magician alone in the desert, who liberates a magical rabbit from three sinister conjurers in matching stovepipe hats. Emmy winner Jamie Caliri directed the clip, claiming influence from the illustrations of Edward Gorey as well as Martin Scorsese’s latest film Hugo. We would also suggest it looks like a Tim Burton-directed ...
- 4/18/2012
- avclub.com
The Shins released a music video for their song "The Rifle's Spiral" off their latest album, Port of Morrow. The video was concepualized by Emmy-winning director Jamie Caliri and tells the story of a battle between good and evil magicians through stop-motion animation.
"The Rifle's Spiral" features a lone musician, three sketchy men and a transformative, and adorable, bunny. Each of the characters assume distinct personalities and mannerisms despite their seemingly restrictive wooden, clay and paper bodies as they battle it out in the name of magic.
Caliri was able to interpret "The Rifle's Spiral" how he pleased. This creative liberty occasionally is a bit too literal, but overall allowed for a story of trickery, deception and whimsy to prevail.
"The Rifle's Spiral" works like an epic as a song alone; the borderline grand pop drums carry it, with James Mercer's vocals almost telling the folklore of the magicians themselves.
"The Rifle's Spiral" features a lone musician, three sketchy men and a transformative, and adorable, bunny. Each of the characters assume distinct personalities and mannerisms despite their seemingly restrictive wooden, clay and paper bodies as they battle it out in the name of magic.
Caliri was able to interpret "The Rifle's Spiral" how he pleased. This creative liberty occasionally is a bit too literal, but overall allowed for a story of trickery, deception and whimsy to prevail.
"The Rifle's Spiral" works like an epic as a song alone; the borderline grand pop drums carry it, with James Mercer's vocals almost telling the folklore of the magicians themselves.
- 4/18/2012
- by The Huffington Post
- Huffington Post
This is part 3 of 4 of our "My Coachella" Series. Click here for profiles on our favorite Coachella bands.
"You gotta hear this one song, it will change your life." These are the words spoken by fresh-faced, teen dream Natalie Portman in the 2004 film "Garden State." Sometimes all it takes is one song to make you buy an album, which is exactly what many people did. Today The Shins are one of indie rock's most recognizable names, but for frontman James Mercer, this has been a long time coming. He created The Shins as a mere side project in Albuquerque, New Mexico in the mid-90s and has seen many band members come and go over the years.
To date, The Shins have released four albums -– the most recent in March 2012, entitled Port Of Morrow. After what was a noticeably long break between 2007's wildly successful Wincing The Night Away...
"You gotta hear this one song, it will change your life." These are the words spoken by fresh-faced, teen dream Natalie Portman in the 2004 film "Garden State." Sometimes all it takes is one song to make you buy an album, which is exactly what many people did. Today The Shins are one of indie rock's most recognizable names, but for frontman James Mercer, this has been a long time coming. He created The Shins as a mere side project in Albuquerque, New Mexico in the mid-90s and has seen many band members come and go over the years.
To date, The Shins have released four albums -– the most recent in March 2012, entitled Port Of Morrow. After what was a noticeably long break between 2007's wildly successful Wincing The Night Away...
- 4/14/2012
- by Sasha Bronner
- Huffington Post
James Mercer, the self-proclaimed auteur behind the Shins, must really, really hate “Garden State.” (Or should.) That, you may recall, was the 2004 movie in which writer-director Zach Braff had Natalie Portman promise his character that listening the band would “change your life.” Every time a Shins record has come out since then (which has been all of twice), a passel of once favorably inclined fans and critics has rushed to render judgment: Not life-changing enough. If you’re willing to set the bar just a little lower for “Port of Morrow,” which...
- 3/21/2012
- by Chris Willman
- The Wrap
The Shins are celebrating today's release of their new album Port of Morrow by playing a special Live on Letterman webcast concert, streaming now.
Pics: Et's New Music Releases
"We've never done anything as elaborate as this," promised band founder and lead singer James Mercer. "I'm stoked."
Click here to watch the concert live from the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City.
Pics: Et's New Music Releases
"We've never done anything as elaborate as this," promised band founder and lead singer James Mercer. "I'm stoked."
Click here to watch the concert live from the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City.
- 3/21/2012
- Entertainment Tonight
Obviously, such a record comes with a lot of hype and expectation. The Shins fourth LP, _Port of Morrow_, had a lot to live up to, but the result is well worth the wait. Right from the start, the album feels like a Shins record. James Mercer’s songwriting is at the heart of the band, but it’s nice that despite the lineup changes and the time off, the sound of the band has remained intact as well. That’s not to say that _Port of Morrow_ is overly familiar. There’s just enough of the band’s past in the songs to make the listener immediately feel at home, but in addition, the record has an incredible freshness to it.
- 3/20/2012
- Pastemagazine.com
As if James Mercer’s “Clapping Butter” Funny or Die skit wasn’t hilarious enough, The Shins’ frontman has given the Internet even more comedic fodder. In this episode, entitled “My Own Worst Enemy,” Mercer dresses up as a number of different characters only to pick on and torment different versions of himself. It’s a bit less sensible, but equally entertaining. Check it out below. The Shins – My Own Worst Enemy – watch more funny videos ...
- 3/13/2012
- Pastemagazine.com
Next week The Shins will release their first album since 2007's Wincing the Night Away, with Port of Morrow, their first release on Columbia Records and James Mercer's new label Aural Apothecary. But if after the five year wait you can't wait one more week, "iTunes":http://bit.ly/shinspremiere will be streaming Port of Morrow until the album's release on March 20.
- 3/13/2012
- Pastemagazine.com
London -- Indie-rock favorites The Shins are back with a new album, a new lineup and a more upbeat sound that lead singer-songwriter James Mercer credits in part to his tranquil family life.
The band's fourth album, "Port of Morrow," is set for release March 20 in the U.S. It comes five years after The Shins' Grammy-nominated album "Wincing the Night Away" entered the Billboard 200 at No. 2.
Mercer admits he'd love to snag the top spot this time.
"I mean that will never go away," the 41-year-old Portland, Oregon, native said. "A number one record. You're up there with the biggest bands in history. It's just cool you know?"
Between albums, Mercer parted ways with the other original band members – drummer Jesse Sandoval, keyboardist Marty Crandall and bassist Dave Hernandez – and recruited a new team.
"Port of Morrow" was produced by Greg Kurstin, who also has worked with Kylie Minogue and Lily Allen.
The band's fourth album, "Port of Morrow," is set for release March 20 in the U.S. It comes five years after The Shins' Grammy-nominated album "Wincing the Night Away" entered the Billboard 200 at No. 2.
Mercer admits he'd love to snag the top spot this time.
"I mean that will never go away," the 41-year-old Portland, Oregon, native said. "A number one record. You're up there with the biggest bands in history. It's just cool you know?"
Between albums, Mercer parted ways with the other original band members – drummer Jesse Sandoval, keyboardist Marty Crandall and bassist Dave Hernandez – and recruited a new team.
"Port of Morrow" was produced by Greg Kurstin, who also has worked with Kylie Minogue and Lily Allen.
- 3/10/2012
- by AP
- Huffington Post
The Shins’ video for “Bait And Switch” opens as if it’s going to be a take-off on “Twilight,” full of tall, green trees and a chyron that puts the setting squarely in the Pacific Northwest-- in Portland, Ore., specifically. Instead of werewolves and vamps, we get James Mercer and the rest of his Shins crew in a cabin that is amazingly well-appointed with guitars to die for. The song, from March 20’s “Port Of Morrow” is about a “simple man” whose love tears everything apart. [More after the jump...] While there’s nothing funny about the lyrics or the video for “Bait...
- 3/2/2012
- Hitfix
The Shins have perfected the art of the in-track clap via a clever little product they invented called "Clapping Butter." A thick coating of the blue, gel-like substance from hands up to mid-arm produced that solid "thwap" that all musicians strive for.
This band comedy bit produced over at Funny or Die features the band members in a series of musical sound producing shenanigans. James Mercer's delivery is spot-on and his acrobatic hops of excitement are almost better than the idea of clapping butter in the first place. If only this is how all studio sessions went.
Watch "Clapping Butter:"
The Shins "Clapping Butter" - watch more funny videos...
This band comedy bit produced over at Funny or Die features the band members in a series of musical sound producing shenanigans. James Mercer's delivery is spot-on and his acrobatic hops of excitement are almost better than the idea of clapping butter in the first place. If only this is how all studio sessions went.
Watch "Clapping Butter:"
The Shins "Clapping Butter" - watch more funny videos...
- 3/2/2012
- by Amber Genuske
- Huffington Post
Have you ever wondered how to get that crisp, pristine clapping sound found on The Shins’ albums? You’ll be glad to know that the secret of that sound is available to everyone, but it’s not free. The Shins released a video today through Funny or Die for a mock advertisement for a product called “Clapping Butter.” The advertisement shows frontman James Mercer struggling to achieve the perfect hand clap sound while recording Port of Morrow single “Simple Song.” Thanks to the clapping butter, he’s on his way to crisp, majestic studio clap tracks. Watch the hilarious clip below. The Shins...
- 3/1/2012
- Pastemagazine.com
The Shins released a downloadable version of their music video for "Simple Song" off their upcoming album Port of Morrow exclusively on iTunes today.
Familial battles and sibling strife is often the subject of hilarity, a subject The Shins capitalize on in this slightly disturbing, though oddly touching video. Shot in a home-video style, it touches on the hatred fueling the Mercer family. James Mercer, vocalist and instrumentalist of The Shins, stars as the recently deceased father of the family, playing one last trick on his three children when he sends them on a wild chase around their childhood home to find a hidden deed.
The video features three siblings as children and adults as they run-amuck in the house up for grabs, pulling dirty tricks as they fight for ownership. Father Mercer has the last laugh, though.
Watch a teaser for the "Simple Song" music video below:
Listen to...
Familial battles and sibling strife is often the subject of hilarity, a subject The Shins capitalize on in this slightly disturbing, though oddly touching video. Shot in a home-video style, it touches on the hatred fueling the Mercer family. James Mercer, vocalist and instrumentalist of The Shins, stars as the recently deceased father of the family, playing one last trick on his three children when he sends them on a wild chase around their childhood home to find a hidden deed.
The video features three siblings as children and adults as they run-amuck in the house up for grabs, pulling dirty tricks as they fight for ownership. Father Mercer has the last laugh, though.
Watch a teaser for the "Simple Song" music video below:
Listen to...
- 2/21/2012
- by Amber Genuske
- Huffington Post
The Shins have tacked on more headlining tour dates for their spring trek as they bow the B-Side to currently single "Simple Song." The newly revamped rock-pop troupe have an aesthetically pleasing lyric video for "September" literally spinning on their website, the companion to the leading track from new album "Port of Morrow." While that set is due in March, the band brings it back to the fall, where this sweetly heartbroken song sounds more akin to leaves falling than buds blooming. Or something. James Mercer's wordplay again takes front and center, as little hints of alt-country and Americana rises through...
- 2/6/2012
- Hitfix
Band may have changed labels — and members — but mastermind James Mercer insists to MTV News, 'It is still a band.'
By James Montgomery
James Mercer of The Shins
Photo: MTV News
Nearly two years ago, when James Mercer was doing press for Broken Bells, his collaboration with producer Brian "Danger Mouse" Burton told MTV News that he had no intention of abandoning his day job as frontman/songwriter for the Shins.
The problem was, Broken Bells ended up being bigger than either man could have expected, and that long-awaited fourth Shins album kept getting pushed back further and further. Though through it all, Mercer maintains he was always working on the record; he was just never quite sure when he was going to be able to finish it.
"It's been five years [since the Shins' Wincing the Night Away], but the Broken Bells kind of takes a two-year chunk out of that, and I've got two kids now,...
By James Montgomery
James Mercer of The Shins
Photo: MTV News
Nearly two years ago, when James Mercer was doing press for Broken Bells, his collaboration with producer Brian "Danger Mouse" Burton told MTV News that he had no intention of abandoning his day job as frontman/songwriter for the Shins.
The problem was, Broken Bells ended up being bigger than either man could have expected, and that long-awaited fourth Shins album kept getting pushed back further and further. Though through it all, Mercer maintains he was always working on the record; he was just never quite sure when he was going to be able to finish it.
"It's been five years [since the Shins' Wincing the Night Away], but the Broken Bells kind of takes a two-year chunk out of that, and I've got two kids now,...
- 1/25/2012
- MTV Music News
The Shins’ myriad influences bleed all over their new single, “Simple Song,” the first from new album “Port of Morrow.” Head Shin James Mercer realigned the band over the last few years and this iteration provides some muscle and a little more heft. Hence, after opening with a very melodic Brian Wilson-esque feel, the tune grabs onto a Who-like guitar and drum rift before adding a sparkly glockenspiel later on. There’s a lot going on musically, but it never gets messy. It’s charming and it’s also about four songs in one. The song, which streams for free today before going on...
- 1/9/2012
- Hitfix
The Shins have announced details of their long-awaited fourth studio album. Port of Morrow will be released in March, 2012, and will be the follow-up to 2007's Wincing the Night Away. The album will be released through frontman James Mercer's Aural Apothecary label with Columbia Records, after leaving Sub Pop in 2008. It was recorded during the past year in Los Angeles and Portland. Mercer joined up with Gnarls Barkley's Danger Mouse for the band Broken Bells in 2009, and released the Ep Meyrin Fields earlier this year. (more)...
- 12/14/2011
- by By Tom Eames
- Digital Spy
The Shins’ fourth album, “Port of Morrow,” will come out in March via head Shin James Mercer’s Aural Apothecary label and Columbia. A specific date will be announced shortly. Recording in Los Angeles and Portland, the Greg Kurstin-produced album is the first with the relatively new Shins line-up of bassist Yuuki Matthews, guitarist Jessica Dobson, keyboardist Richard Swift and drummer Joe Plummer. Mercer parted ways with founding members keyboardist Marty Crandall and drummer Jesse Sandoval in 2009. “Port of Morrow” is the band’s first album for Columbia since leaving Sub Pop Records, the group’s home for its three previous sets and...
- 12/14/2011
- Hitfix
The Shins will reportedly release their long-awaited fourth album in 2012. The follow-up to 2007's Wincing The Night Away will be released on frontman James Mercer's own Aural Apothecary label via Columbia, Pitchfork reports. Mercer will be backed by Richard Swift, Jessica Dobson, Modest Mouse drummer Joe Plummer and Crystal Skulls star Yuuki Matther on a clutch of upcoming tour dates. The Shins' upcoming Us tour dates are as follows:
August 8 - Eugene, Or - W.O.W. HallAugust 9 - Bend, Or - The Domino RoomAugust 10 - Portland, (more)...
August 8 - Eugene, Or - W.O.W. HallAugust 9 - Bend, Or - The Domino RoomAugust 10 - Portland, (more)...
- 8/3/2011
- by By Mayer Nissim
- Digital Spy
The Shins’ James Mercer has shifted his label, Aural Apothecary, to Columbia Records. The news means we’re one step closer to getting the Shins follow-up to 2007’s “Wincing The Night Away.” The Shins are working with Greg Kurstin on the new set, according to Pitchfork. The move to Columbia makes a lot of sense given that Broken Bells, Mercer’s side project with Danger Mouse, Broken Bells, are on Columbia. The Shins left Sub Pop, its former home, in 2008 and moved to Mercer’s Aural Apothecary imprint. The Shins also announced a handful of new dates, many of them surrounding their previously...
- 8/2/2011
- Hitfix
By Zachary Swickey
Brian Joseph Burton, the man the music world knows and loves as Danger Mouse, turns 34 today, and his many milestones are rather mindboggling. Growing up on the music of Pink Floyd and Portishead, Burton fit right in while living in London, where he moved to make a name for himself as a trip-hop DJ but instead found himself focusing on making hip-hop beats. But it was a moment of true serendipity that led Burton to where he is today.
While cleaning around his apartment and listening to the Beatles’ White Album, Burton came across his a capella copy of Jay-z’s The Black Album, and inspiration struck. After completing one song successfully and with surprising ease, Burton took to mashing up the entirety of both albums, creating The Grey Album. The result was clearly not exactly legal since it was the music of two separate iconic acts...
Brian Joseph Burton, the man the music world knows and loves as Danger Mouse, turns 34 today, and his many milestones are rather mindboggling. Growing up on the music of Pink Floyd and Portishead, Burton fit right in while living in London, where he moved to make a name for himself as a trip-hop DJ but instead found himself focusing on making hip-hop beats. But it was a moment of true serendipity that led Burton to where he is today.
While cleaning around his apartment and listening to the Beatles’ White Album, Burton came across his a capella copy of Jay-z’s The Black Album, and inspiration struck. After completing one song successfully and with surprising ease, Burton took to mashing up the entirety of both albums, creating The Grey Album. The result was clearly not exactly legal since it was the music of two separate iconic acts...
- 7/29/2011
- by MTV News
- MTV Newsroom
On July 19th, and imprint called Greyday Records will release a second volume of its "Live From Nowhere Near You" charity compilation. Looking through the first one, out in 2003, a few artists jump out: Spoon, Emily Haines, Brad Hargreaves of Third Eye Blind. For "Live From Nowhere Near You, Vol. 2," many of the names may be familiar to you. Over three discs, musicians including Elliott Smith, Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst with Spoon's Britt Daniel, the Strokes' Julian Casablancas and Fabrizio Moretti, Modest Mouse, the Shins' James Mercer, Wilco, Ryan Adams, Josh Homme (hi, Josh), Sleater-Kinney's Corin Tucker, the Decemberists'...
- 7/9/2011
- Hitfix
The line up at this year's Outside Lands Music Festival has kicked the music rumor mill into high gear. Why? Because The Shins are playing. The Portland, Ore.-based band hasn't played a show since 2009 and most people thought the band was done. As you may recall, frontman James Mercer has been busy making beautiful music with DJ Dangermouse under the moniker Broken Bells. But 24-bit is reporting that last month, Mercer played a benefit show in Portland, which included a new song. Mercer took the opportunity to announce that The Shins were working on a new album and that song would be on it. Then came the booking at Outside Lands. With all the evidence, we are voting to believe the rumors: The Shins are back.
Here is Mercer (and Shins' drummer Joe Plummer) playing the new song at the Baghdad Theater:
And here is "Kissing the Lipless", which...
Here is Mercer (and Shins' drummer Joe Plummer) playing the new song at the Baghdad Theater:
And here is "Kissing the Lipless", which...
- 4/18/2011
- by Melissa Locker
- ifc.com
Listeners of Sound On Sight Radio know that we love to play music in between film reviews. We often receive emails with listeners complimenting the music we play, and usually people ask for the names of the artists and songs. So based on listener feedback, I’ve decided to post something new on the site. Welcome to Ricky D’s track of the day. Every day, I’ll select one of my new favorite songs and once in a while I’ll play a classic, but always something most people probably haven’t heard of. In other words, I won’t be choosing anything too mainstream.
Today’s track is called The Ghost Inside by Broken Bells. The band is composed of artist-producer Brian Burton (better known as Danger Mouse) and James Mercer, the lead vocalist and guitarist for the indie rock band The Shins. Their first self-titled album was a huge success,...
Today’s track is called The Ghost Inside by Broken Bells. The band is composed of artist-producer Brian Burton (better known as Danger Mouse) and James Mercer, the lead vocalist and guitarist for the indie rock band The Shins. Their first self-titled album was a huge success,...
- 4/14/2011
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
Broken Bells have just made public their "Heartless Empire" music video on AOL. Filled with their in-studio performance footage, the clip "shows Mercer helming the seven-piece rock outfit while Danger Mouse hits the drums and ragged guitar chords rip underneath the verby vocals and brass accompaniment."
"Heartless Empire" is taken from Broken Bells' new mini album "Meyrin Fields" which is released a year after their 2010 self-titled effort which received positive reviews. The song reportedly is an unreleased song from their previous studio session.
Broken Bells consist of indie musician James Mercer and multi-instrumentalist Brian Burton aka Danger Mouse. Last year, this duo broke Billboard Hot 200 with their eponymous effort, climbing to No. 7 on the U.S. albums chart.
Broken Bells' "Heartless Empire" music video...
"Heartless Empire" is taken from Broken Bells' new mini album "Meyrin Fields" which is released a year after their 2010 self-titled effort which received positive reviews. The song reportedly is an unreleased song from their previous studio session.
Broken Bells consist of indie musician James Mercer and multi-instrumentalist Brian Burton aka Danger Mouse. Last year, this duo broke Billboard Hot 200 with their eponymous effort, climbing to No. 7 on the U.S. albums chart.
Broken Bells' "Heartless Empire" music video...
- 4/1/2011
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
Eli (James Mercer) traverses Portland, Oregon, working a series of minimum-wage temp jobs in order to pay off a loan so that he can finish school. Dog shelter staffer Katrina (former Sleater-Kinney guitarist Carrie Brownstein) films a video diary intended as a reality show audition tape. Camille (Renee Roman Nose) is employed sorting donations at what looks like the largest thrift store on the planet. If this trio of stranded ...
- 3/22/2011
- indieWIRE - People
Eli (James Mercer) traverses Portland, Oregon, working a series of minimum-wage temp jobs in order to pay off a loan so that he can finish school. Dog shelter staffer Katrina (former Sleater-Kinney guitarist Carrie Brownstein) films a video diary intended as a reality show audition tape. Camille (Renee Roman Nose) is employed sorting donations at what looks like the largest thrift store on the planet. If this trio of stranded ...
- 3/22/2011
- Indiewire
Jesse (James Mercer) traverses Portland, Oregon, working a series of minimum-wage temp jobs in order to pay off a loan so that he can finish school. Dog shelter staffer Katrina (former Sleater-Kinney guitarist Carrie Brownstein) films a video diary intended as a reality show audition tape. Camille (Renee Roman Nose) is employed sorting donations at what looks like the largest thrift store on the planet. If this trio of stranded ...
- 3/22/2011
- indieWIRE - People
After a 2010 with loads of critical acclaim, Broken Bells have a start into 2011 with another new effort. The Grammy-nominated duo will be releasing "Meyrin Fields," a four-song Ep, on March 29. It contains two previously unreleased tunes"Windows" and "Heartless Empire," plus two tracks that were already at digital retailers. The title track was the B-side to "The Ghost Inside" single, released in the fall last year, and "An Easy Life," which was off of the iTunes LP of the self-titled full-length. It seems James Mercer and Brian Burton (aka Danger Mouse) are sticking with Columbia, and "will continue to record ...
- 3/1/2011
- Hitfix
Over the course of his career, prominent producer/multi-instrumentalist Brian Burton (Aka: Danger Mouse) has teamed up with a variety of indie-rock acts including Beck, The Black Keys and Sparklehorse. Everything up to this point, however, has been a one-and-done effort. So upon working with James Mercer to create Broken Bells, we figured that the partnership would turn into another one-off project. But perhaps things have changed for Burton, as they just have announced the release of Meyrin Fields later this month....
- 3/1/2011
- Pastemagazine.com
Album collaborations are rare in hip-hop history.
By Steven Roberts
Kanye West and Jay-z
Photo: Getty Images
Now that their first single, "H.A.M.," has debuted, it looks like Jay-z and Kanye West's highly anticipated Watch the Throne album is actually happening.
West tweeted about the collaboration in August, and confirmed it a few months later, saying the project would now be a full album. But few would have guessed it would be released so soon — right on the heels of West's critically lauded My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy — and there aren't too many examples in music history of two superstars collaborating on an album.
Click for photos of other great collaborations in music history.
There have been plenty of rock "supergroups" who have released albums over the years, starting with the likes of Cream (Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce) and Crosby, Stills and Nash (David Crosby,...
By Steven Roberts
Kanye West and Jay-z
Photo: Getty Images
Now that their first single, "H.A.M.," has debuted, it looks like Jay-z and Kanye West's highly anticipated Watch the Throne album is actually happening.
West tweeted about the collaboration in August, and confirmed it a few months later, saying the project would now be a full album. But few would have guessed it would be released so soon — right on the heels of West's critically lauded My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy — and there aren't too many examples in music history of two superstars collaborating on an album.
Click for photos of other great collaborations in music history.
There have been plenty of rock "supergroups" who have released albums over the years, starting with the likes of Cream (Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce) and Crosby, Stills and Nash (David Crosby,...
- 1/11/2011
- MTV Music News
Cee Lo Green seemed quiet for a while after blowing minds as one half of Gnarls Barkley with hits like "Crazy" that people from all walks of life embraced. There was the second Gnarls album, but his ubiquitous co-conspirator, Danger Mouse, was all over the place cutting records left and right with Beck, The Black Keys, James Mercer (as Broken Bells), even David Lynch. But no Cee Lo... until he dropped "Fuck You."
And like that, he's a superstar. Vulture caught up with him in his hotel room while he was decompressing before shooting a music video and Cee Lo opened up about having to compromise his raw style to get records made, using a cocaine analogy.
"Left to my own devices, my album would be powder," Cee-Lo declares. "Raw powder. And of course we all know, if you have any kind of common knowledge -- it can't be completely raw.
And like that, he's a superstar. Vulture caught up with him in his hotel room while he was decompressing before shooting a music video and Cee Lo opened up about having to compromise his raw style to get records made, using a cocaine analogy.
"Left to my own devices, my album would be powder," Cee-Lo declares. "Raw powder. And of course we all know, if you have any kind of common knowledge -- it can't be completely raw.
- 11/4/2010
- by Brandon Kim
- ifc.com
What do Danger Mouse, James Mercer, "Mad Men's" Christina Hendricks and Hall & Oates Have In Common?
The super duo, Broken Bells, aka Danger Mouse (aka producer Brian Burton) and The Shins' James Mercer turned heads with their debut "Broken Bells" this past spring. Then they released an awesome sci-fi video for their single, "The Ghost Inside" featuring Christina Hendricks ("Mad Men," "Firefly") as a darling android.
Today Vulture premiered a second official video for the same song adding Hall & Oates to the list of players who appear in videos for Broken Bells' "The Ghost Inside." Friend of the band director, Matt McCormick, was reminded of Hall & Oates' "Private Eyes" by the song's clapping, so much so that after digging up the 1981 video on YouTube, he "just started playing around with syncing up the visuals from the 'Private Eyes' video with 'The Ghost Inside.' Then he superimposed James Mercer's mouth on the face of Mr. Daryl Hall and called it a day." It's not...
Today Vulture premiered a second official video for the same song adding Hall & Oates to the list of players who appear in videos for Broken Bells' "The Ghost Inside." Friend of the band director, Matt McCormick, was reminded of Hall & Oates' "Private Eyes" by the song's clapping, so much so that after digging up the 1981 video on YouTube, he "just started playing around with syncing up the visuals from the 'Private Eyes' video with 'The Ghost Inside.' Then he superimposed James Mercer's mouth on the face of Mr. Daryl Hall and called it a day." It's not...
- 11/3/2010
- by Brandon Kim
- ifc.com
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