Photos and word by Scott Sheff
The indie rock duo of Broken Bells, made up of The Shins’ lead singer James Mercer and producer/musician Brian Burton, aka Danger Mouse, opened the first of a two-night run at The Orpheum Theatre to an enthusiastic crowd and a set of killer music.
The band wove in and out of songs from their two studio albums, including their latest After the Disco, complemented by a colorful backdrop of interchanging images and designs. The artistic vision took on new heights when giant silhouette images of Mercer and Burton were cast to the back of the stage during “The Angel and The Fool.”
Mercer was incredible with his vocal range, testing his falsetto limits on songs like the show-closing number “Holding On For Life,” a song that often draws comparisons to the Bee Gees and perhaps the only tune even remotely reflective of the album’s disco title. And for his part, Burton bounced between guitar, drums and keyboards showcasing his multi-instrumental talents. The songs took on an even more magical sound with the addition of a brass section and a quartet of back-up singers.
A truly magical evening.