Broken Bells - Broken Bells
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Metascore
71 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.4 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 61 Ratings

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0 out of 10
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  • Summary: This is the debut album for The Shins James Mercer and producer Brian Burton (aka as Danger Mouse).

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. Drowned In Sound
    90
    What makes Broken Bells such a compelling body of work is undeniably the result of the broad range of sounds that fill its palette. Although there are instances whereby each of the two conspirators come to the forefront, at no point does this sound like a Shins record with beats or a hip hop record with guitars.
  2. BBC Music
    80
    Mercer's gently off-beam pop songs are lit up colourfully by the duo's choice of arrangements.
  3. Dot Music
    80
    The album finishes almost as well as it started with 'The Mall & Misery' (a bit of country, a bit of disco, lightening bolts of new wave guitar, harmonies to intoxicate), proving the album's effective inevitability is not tedious and the quality is clear whichever direction you approach from.
  4. No Ripcord
    60
    Broken Bells is clearly a mood record, but even with so many textures, resources and talent, it all hits one stilted note. Either this is an indicator of where the temporarily Shin-less Mercer is headed or its little more than a curious footnote on his and Burton's careers.

See all 31 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. Michael
    10
    Absolutely brilliant! Danger Mouse and James Mercer have created something unique and fantastic. This is the year's best album so far.
  2. DoctorMcN1nja
    9
    Broken Bells is an album born from the collaboration of The Shins
  3. scarecrowssong
    8
    From the first thirty seconds of the premier track, High Road you know that you're in for a treat. Mercer's twisted vocals against the backdrop that is Burton's excellent production, takes you by the hand and guides you on a humble journey through 21st century alternative indie. The steady rhythm mimics a racing heart that punctuates every line with a smile. Perhaps the synths are too heavy, but not enough to deter from repeat listens.
    Each track flows well into one another, maintaining Mercer and Burtonâ    … Expand
  4. MattM
    2
    Move along. Nothing to see/hear. The record has good production and some nice, 60's sounds here and there, but nothing memorable or interesting. The Shins' lyrics have never been more than a vehicle for great hooks, but unfortunately the hooks are absent on this record. So, you end up with dull lyrics, dull music and a dull record. It only gets good reviews from some based upon the two members involved in this project. If the Broken Bells were actually Joe Indy and John Pop, you wouldn't be reading this.… Collapse

See all 8 User Reviews

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