Broken Bells BROKEN BELLS

“I’m really enjoying this album from music producer Dangermouse and the James Mercer from The Shins. The style varies from 80s pop (Suede, Ash…), over to Air, some Bowie, and a whole blend of other influences. It does not seem to suffer from over-production, with sweet simple vocals, a mostly relaxed style and scattered throughout with clever aural tricks. For example, ‘The High Road’ has a gorgeous melody, with layers of sound that build up over the song. ‘The Ghost Inside’ is fabulous, with a surprising falsetto from James Mercer showing some fantastic versatility. The lyrics, for me particularly in ‘Vaporize’, ‘The Mall And The Misery’ and ‘High Road’, are well worth a closer listen. ”

“Perhaps this will sound like a criticism, but it’s not supposed to be: I find this ideal background music; inoffensive, nice to pick up a tune from and hum to, and I can forget it’s on. Then some classy vocals or a little twist or texture will draw my attention back to the stereo. I’ll listen out for what comes next.”

“I must say it took me about four listens to fully appreciate it but I can’t stop listening to it now! It has wonderful layered sounds that come to the fore the more you listen, very clever indeed! This is what I call proper music!”

“At just under 38 minutes Broken Bells don’t outstay their welcome and I have found myself pressing repeat even though I wouldn’t ordinarily choose to listen to this type of music. Whilst it remains to be seen whether this duo will continue to make music together, I will be keeping an ear out if they do.”

Ed: This jury is still out on this record, but, the more I listen the more I like. 3.5/5

Owl City OCEAN EYES

“Ocean Eyes follows hot on the heels of ‘Fireflies’, a sparkling piece of emo-tinged electronic pop that made Adam Young, a bedroom musician from small-town Minnesota, a chart-topper on both sides of the Atlantic. Critics have noted the similarities of Owl City to past introspective electronica outfits such as Sub Pop signees The Postal Service, but Ocean Eyes is plainly a brighter, more populist spin on the sound, with colourful melodies, vocals tinted with autotune, and emotions writ large.”

“Yes, it’s sentimental stuff - lyrically, the sort of literate-but-neurotic fare that sounds as informed by the dialogue of articulate indie flicks like 500 Days Of Summer than traditional pop songwriting. “I’ve been to the dentists’ a thousand times so I know the drill” quips Young on ‘Dental Care’, a song inevitably less about deep-canal work than matters of the heart. Those with harder hearts may find the overall effect a little saccharine, but it’s inescapable that Owl City has the ear for a tune that can really weevil its way into your memory - hear how the likes of ‘Cave In’ and ‘Hello Seattle’ recall ‘Fireflies’ in their blend of yearning emotion and crisp, sing-along hooks.”

“‘Fireflies’ is the best feelgood song to hit the charts in a long time, and if you love that song as much as I do you’ll probably love the album too, as it’s full of quirky lyrics…”

Ed: Just not too sure about this record right now, but potentially a grower… 3/5