Listening to Broken Bells “The High Road” today…

…and I’m thinking about the power of collaboration.  (I’m currently searching for a Producer.)

A sum, greater than its parts is not always the case with music.

James Mercer of The Shins and Dangermouse (Brian Burton) of Gnarls Barkley, Gorillaz and Beck.

What a “collabo.”

The Singer-songwriter and the Producer.

Now I’ve always admired James Mercer for many reasons.  His writing, of course.  But also his less lauded delivery.  So gentle, earnest and with a subtextual fire.  I get tension undertones when I listen to him sing.  The tannins of a fine wine.  The responsibility of The Thinking Man.

And “the Producer”…  The Mad Genius.

I once read that a good producer not only helps the sonic qualities of the music but asks the sometimes hard questions:

“Is that what you meant to say by that lyric?”

“This isn’t working. Can we rewrite this?”

But I never hear that in Dangermouse production.  I know it’s there.  But you don’t hear it.  No edits.  No unfinished Songcraft.  All I hear is engineered excellence, experimentation, and a dedication to break the norm.

And I still hear the Shins influence.  (Although, I have to admit I was listening for it.)  I mean, how can the delicate and verbose tenor be heard in all that beautiful street noise?  It’s one thing to wrap the enigmatic soul giant Cee-Lo in a funk noise orchestra, that man could sing a duet with a Space Shuttle.  Or Beck, who can speak in metaphors and slang adjectives like white rock on an urban street.  You can’t keep these Artists down.  So how to dress the nimble, soft spoken poet?  I guess the rest remains to be seen on March 9th, 2010.

With Gnarls Barkley he hit a Multi-Platinum single.  Had most people ever heard of him before or since?  Probably not.  But he doesn’t stop.  He works with the best and tries something new.

What a simple and admirable thing.

Hats off, Mr Mouse.

BROKEN BELLS | DOWNLOAD “THE HIGH ROAD”.