Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Review/Photos: Broken Bells @ The Wiltern, 10/6/10
Toward the end of the Broken Bells' set last week, James Mercer shot a cold, hard stare at guitarist Dan Elkan, the brilliant and exuberant side man whose backing vocals had strayed off key.
It might have been barely perceptible (see the video below and fast forward to around the four minute mark if you are like me and don't like waiting), and it was a fruitless error during an otherwise rousing rendition of the night's closer, "The Mall and Misery," but Mercer, the perfectionist, quietly seethed.
And for good reason. The Broken Bells are quickly becoming a brand in and of themselves, much like The Shins after their rocket-propelled ascent. The Bells' sound is greatly (though not entirely) dependent on Mercer's golden pipes and any variation on that beauty can throw the whole damn thing off. Fortunately, Mercer is backed by a clever set of troubadours and Danger Mouse (or Brian Burton as he likes to be called during this venture) who collectively lifted their recent show at The Wiltern to new heights, reflecting their burgeoning creativity and willingness to step ever so slightly from their comfort zone.
While Burton gets a lot of the credit for that creativity (as he should), the significant gifts of the supporting crew are what really allows the Broken Bells to soar, both in general and at their recent Wiltern gig.
Support for LAist comes from
Elkan, the pulse of the group, bounced around the stage like an electron. On guitar, he's innovative, energetic and a breath of live air next to the mostly placid Mercer. Sidemen Nate Walcott and Nik Freitas (both of Conor Oberst’s Mystic Valley) and bassist Jonathan Hischke form a nucleus that breeds ingenuity.
How much of that comes from the men at the top is anyone's guess, but it is clear that the fate of Broken Bells will survive or die with the top brass. Thankfully for fans, the future looks bright.
The band that night played much off their often gorgeous debut, flavoring them with an extra kick while also adding two new songs that show Broken Bells is not afraid to go in a different direction.
"Insane Lullaby" was a quiet little ballad of Burton on piano and Mercer on acoustic guitar. It fell softly over the sold out audience as "Everlasting Light," a Black Keys song, shifted the show from merely nice to New York City raw.
These padded outstanding versions of "Sailing to Nowhere" and b-side "Meyrin Fields," an undulating rhythm that are what the Broken Bells sound like all grown up. It undulated and seethed with life (maybe opening act Autolux got to them) and the audience reciprocated, swaying with the energy and bouncing in tow.
The show was a welcome leap forward from the last time the Bells were in town and portends great things for a band that seems to be at a crossroads. With a solid effort under their belt and a half dozen geniuses guiding the way, will they fall back into a comfort zone or will they push the envelope and challenge fans (and themselves)? If past is prologue, fans are not likely not to lose faith. If they can stay on key, that is.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
-
Hexavalent chromium is the same carcinogen Erin Brockovich warned about in the 1990s, but researchers say more study is needed on the potential health effects of nanoparticles detected earlier this year. Experts will answer questions at a webinar this evening.
Best of LAist