We didn’t make it to the super sold-out Broken Bells show this weekend. But LAist caught the debut performance by James Mercer (of The Shins) and Brian Burton (aka Danger Mouse) and gives an encouraging report.

Mercer’s voice was strong and rose above Burton’s shuffling timekeeping. Several songs had a lilting bass groove reminiscent of the Manchester sound of 20 years ago — Stone Roses, Happy Mondays. It was also apparent that these musicians were influenced by the likes of Damon Albarn and Beck — not necessarily a bad thing. Add four- and five-part harmonies and some ace songwriting by Mercer and the live experience had a wall of sound, Floydian feel, melodies grinding through spiral video projected on the stage.

Broken Bells – “The High Road”
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