What's The Story?
Broken Bells are a duo formed by the producer Danger Mouse & by James Mercer, best known for his work with The Shins. Citizen is from their self-titled debut album.
Who's To Blame?
A recently departed roommate.
(...Not dearly departed. He just moved out.)
Why ♥ It?
If it's raining, if work sucks, if your significant other's a jerk, if your significant other fails to exist; right from the heartwrenching intro chords to the entrance of the dark lyric This is a day / without a trace of reason, this song resonates with hurt. Fans of The Shins would expect no less from James Mercer. And, in Shin-like fashion, the chorus manages to pick up the tempo without really consoling the listener. Great, unified mood music from start to 3:07.
I neglect to say start to end, because the reason this song first caught my ear is the outro. After playing what could be any sad song, Broken Bells turn the last minute and a half of this track into something memorable. It starts with just the main progression on guitar and a drumbeat, and adds a droning hum. This continues, and other instruments (piano, bass, horns) are invited to add something to carry the sad tune out. It's almost like a funeral procession for the song, and could perhaps rival Exit Music (For A Film) for a feel-bad finish that you almost hate to love.
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