It’s official.  The Shins’ lead singer James Mercer and Danger Mouse have formed a band and are putting out an album together.  The band is called Broken Bells, at least for now.  I guess it is still subject to change.  This is an exciting musical merger.  I’m have the utmost respect for both of these guys musically.  The Shins are probably my favorite band of all time, and Danger Mouse, well he was born in White Plains and has produced some of the best songs released in the last few years.  For more, check out the Pitchfork news brief…

Pitchfork news brief on Broken Bells

*Bonus*

Danger Mouse produced The Black Keys’ last album Attack and Release.  Here’s a sweet cut off it, “Lies”…

Of course, Danger Mouse is probably best known for his work with Gnarls Barkley (his group with Cee-Lo), and I am absolutely in love with one of the songs from their latest album.  It’s called “No Time Soon”.  Listen to it HERE, and below watch a very cool alto saxophone cover of it that I found on Youtube.  Smooth…

As for James Mercer, well he’s one of the illest songwriters in the history of music.  The Shins are the shizz.  For more on them, CLICK ON THIS.  I’ll keep you posted on this pairing as more info surfaces.  Peace out.

*UPDATE*

Pardon me, but this is a sidebar of sorts.  A second bonus if you will.  The Black Keys are actually working on a rock/rap album right now, featuring Jim Jones, Mos Def, Rza, Raekwon, Q-Tip, and many other big hip hop names.  Dame Dash is very actively a part of the project too.  Check out these two documentary style videos with Mos Def in the studio….

Thanks to my old pal Jon Leib for the heads up on this project.  For more info and to keep up with the weekly webisodes, stay tuned to the link at the bottom…Also, check for the recent solo album from The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach titled Keep It Hid (cover below)…

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