BROKEN BELLS

Into The Blue (AWAL)

When Broken Bells first coalesced in 2006, they seemed like something of an odd couple: James Mercer of indie darlings The Shins and superproducer Brian Burton aka Danger Mouse. On their third album Into The Blue, after an eight-year hiatus, the pairing makes near-perfect sense.

The title track represents a superb return to action – the Flaming Lips if they were high on Animal Collective harmonies rather than their own supply. We’re Not In Orbit Yet’s lush, graceful 70s rock follows, characteristic in that it unfolds in its own sweet time. The grand drama of The Chase, 60s shuffle of Saturdays and mellifluous soul of album centrepiece Love On The Run are testament to both Mercer’s ear for melody and Burton’s production nous.

Truly collaborative rather than an unsatisfactory fudge of two singular talents, Into The Blue is the realisation of a vision that, back in the mid-00s, few except Mercer and Burton could see.

words BEN WOOLHEAD