Now that he's jettisoned most of the old Shins lineup, James Mercer is free to do what he pleases, namely joining up with uber-producer Danger Mouse to form a new band called Broken Bells (for the time being, that's their moniker). The duo will be putting out a full-length album sometime next year via Columbia, and this ain't just a shortime dealio; they already have plans for album two. [Pitchfork]