Jump to content

The High Road (Broken Bells song)

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 179.197.248.179 (talk) at 17:57, 15 March 2014 (→Critical reception). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

"The High Road"
Song

"The High Road" is a song by American alternative super-duo Broken Bells. Written by James Mercer and Danger Mouse, and produced by the latter, the song was released as the lead single from the duo's self-titled debut album on December 22, 2009.[1] On March 9, 2010, the song was the iTunes Single of the Week, where it was offered for free for one week.[1]

Critical reception

The High Road was well received by music critics, which praised the lyrics and song's production. AllMusic stated the song "melds slick electronic percussion and a searching, minor-key melody into something that echoes the duo’s previous work without rehashing it."[2] Idobi Radio said " 'The High Road' serves as a great introduction for the album, with soothing multi-layered vocals and beautiful lyrics weaving in and out of hypnotizing drum beats, synths and various other instruments."[3] PopMatters's Anthony Lombardi observed that "when Mercer and Burton are on point though, it works, and works well: opener and lead single, 'The High Road', proves the perfect vantage point, its minor-key melody, noodly synths and clapping percussion providing an ample bed for the soaring, swelling chorus."[4]

Commercial performance

"The High Road" peaked at #10 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart, becoming the duo's highest peaking single to date on the chart.[5] The single also made an appearance on the Billboard Hot Rock Songs where it peaked at #15.[6] It also peaked at #60 in Japan and #75 on the Canadian Hot 100 in Canada, where it was certified Gold by Music Canada.[7][8][9]

Charts

Chart (2010) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[10] 75
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[11] 60
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[12] 15
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[13] 10

Certifications

Region Certification
Canada (Music Canada) Gold[9]

Joss Stone version

"The High Road"
Song

In 2012, English soul singer Joss Stone covered the song for her sixth album The Soul Sessions Vol. 2, a follow-up from her debut album The Soul Sessions (2003). It was released on July 5, 2012 as the second album's single.

Background and recording

Stone said about the recording process: "When listening to possible tracks for the album, Steve Greenberg played it to me and I thought it sounded good," she explains to Rolling Stone.[14] "I'd never heard the song before this and thought I'd give it a try, with a bit of a twist!"

For Billboard, she said: "I think 'High Road' is quite a different one for me. It's still soul but it's got a darker tone to it, certainly in the beginning of the song."[15]

Critical reception

The cover received positive reviews from music critics. The Idolator opined that Stone delivers a "robust, impassioned take on the first-ever Broken Bells single",.[16] American Songwriter stated "like her revelatory reading of the White Stripes’ Fell in Love with a Girl from the first set, Stone brings her throaty R&B to the Broken Bells’ “The High Road” in one of this album’s finest performances".[17] The Guardian's Hermione Hoby described the song as a "bombastic cover".[18] AllMusic praised the choice and song's production saying "Stone refashioned the Broken Bells' song to sound old, thereby occupying the same space as Joss' White Stripes "Fell in Love with a Boy" cover did on the first Soul Sessions. This is the song to prove that Stone isn't living in the past but rather she's seeing the future through a retro prism that turns everything into something that feels classic.[19]

References

  1. ^ a b ""The High Road" by Broken Bells on MusicBrainz". MusicBrainz. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
  2. ^ "Broken Bells, Broken Bells".
  3. ^ "Album Review: James Mercer, Danger Mouse are Broken Bells". {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  4. ^ "Broken Bells: Broken Bells". {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  5. ^ "Broken Bells chart history on Alternative Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
  6. ^ "Broken Bells chart history for Hot Rock Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
  7. ^ "Broken Bells chart history for Japan Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
  8. ^ "Broken Bells chart history for Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
  9. ^ a b "Certifications for Broken Bells". MusicCanada. Retrieved 25 December 2013.
  10. ^ "Broken Bells Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
  11. ^ "Broken Bells Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard.
  12. ^ "Broken Bells Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard.
  13. ^ "Broken Bells Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard.
  14. ^ "Premiere: Joss Stone Covers Broken Bells' 'The High Road'".
  15. ^ "Joss Stone Covers Broken Bells' 'High Road': Listen".
  16. ^ "Joss Stone - The Soul Sessions Vol. 2: album review".
  17. ^ "Joss Stone: The Soul Sessions Vol. 2".
  18. ^ "Joss Stone: Soul Sessions Vol 2 – review". {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  19. ^ "The Soul Sessions Vol. 2, Joss Stone".
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=The_High_Road_(Broken_Bells_song)&oldid=599748852"