Perkins and Stevens left the band in 2000, and Felton left in 2004. Stevens released a solo album under the name Roj, and Felton formed the group Seeland with Billy Bainbridge from Plone. After the January 2011 death of Trish Keenan, James Cargill is the only current member of the band.
The band has released five albums in their career: "The Noise Made by People" (2000), "Haha Sound" (2003), "Tender Buttons" (2005), "Broadcast and The Focus Group Investigate Witch Cults of the Radio Age" (2009, with The Focus Group) and "Berberian Sound Studio" (2013), the soundtrack to the film of the same name. Cargill has stated that plans for an album featuring Keenan's final recordings is in the works.
The band's first releases were singles released on Wurlitzer Jukebox Records ( "Accidentals" ) and Duophonic Records ("The Book Lovers") in the mid-1990s. "The Book Lovers" was also featured on the soundtrack of the film Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery. They attracted the attention of Warp Records, who compiled the singles in 1997 on "Work and Non Work".
The band was chosen by Matt Groening to perform at the All Tomorrow's Parties festival he curated in May 2010 in Minehead, Somerset, England.
The band's style is a mixture of electronic sounds and Keenan's 1960s-influenced vocals. It is heavily influenced by the 1960s influenced American psychedelic group The United States of America, using many of the same electronic effects. It was also reminiscent of Stereolab. However, despite the similar musical pedigree, Broadcast's music is often darker and edgier in sound – with amorphous samples and analogue dissonance giving it a retro-futuristic sci-fi edge.
On January 14th, 2011, Trish Keenan died from complications caused by pneumonia.
There are other artists with the same name:
2.) Broadcast is a melodic hardcore band from west coast of Sweden. Their debut EP, Guidelines was released on november 11th, 2013.
https://www.facebook.com/broadcastofficial
http://broadcastofficial.bandcamp.com
3.) Broadcast was a Finnish pop rock group founded in 1980 by i.a. Edu Kettunen, Kim Lönnholm and Esa Kaartamo.
The Little Bell
Broadcast Lyrics
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Although it tries it cannot sound
It used to ring across the air
Its sweetened tone would linger there
But from a careless hand it rocked
Its shell is only made of crock
Although it lies there split in two
Now deep inside my wooden clock
There is a tick but not a tock
Although into the room it chimes
It only tells me half the time
Why do you leave me so confused?
I'll miss my bus, my job I'll lose
Oh, what is wrong, my wooden clock
It breaks my heart to see you stop
The song "The Little Bell" by Broadcast is a melancholic musing on the transiency of things that once brought joy to our lives. Throughout the song, we hear about the eponymous little bell that used to ring across the air, though now it lies broken on the ground, unable to sound. The little bell's fate is linked to that of a wooden clock, which still ticks but no longer tocks, and which leaves the singer feeling confused and lost. The lyrics seem to be a meditation on how things that we once relied on for structure, order, and beauty can suddenly break down or cease to exist, leaving us stranded and unsure of our way forward.
The opening lines of the song introduce us to the little bell, which "lies on the ground" and "cannot sound" despite its best efforts. The bell's fate is described in detail, with the singer noting that "from a careless hand it rocked" and that "its shell is only made of crock." Despite these setbacks, the bell still "tries to ring out to you," suggesting that it retains some sense of its former purpose and identity. Later in the song, the little bell is paralleled with the wooden clock, which also seems to be a shadow of its former self. While the clock still ticks, it no longer tocks, and it leaves the singer feeling confused and uncertain about the time. The repeated refrain of "what is wrong, my wooden clock" hints at a broader existential malaise, suggesting that the singer is grappling with questions about purpose, identity, and the passing of time.
Overall, "The Little Bell" is a poignant and introspective song that invites listeners to reflect on the fleeting nature of life, love, and beauty. By using a broken bell and clock as symbols of loss and confusion, the song evokes a sense of nostalgia for what once was, while also acknowledging the inevitability of change and decay. Whether we are grappling with broken relationships, lost opportunities, or the passage of time itself, the message of the song is one of acceptance and resilience. Even in the face of loss and confusion, we can still find a way to "ring out" and make ourselves heard.
Line by Line Meaning
The little bell lies on the ground
The bell is lying on the ground.
Although it tries it cannot sound
Despite its efforts, the bell cannot make a sound.
It used to ring across the air
The bell would ring through the air.
Its sweetened tone would linger there
The tone was sweet and would linger in the air.
But from a careless hand it rocked
Someone carelessly caused the bell to rock.
Its shell is only made of crock
The shell of the bell is only made of cheap material.
Although it lies there split in two
The bell is split in two even though it lies there.
It still tries to ring out to you
Despite being split in two, the bell still tries to make a sound.
Now deep inside my wooden clock
Inside the wooden clock is where this happens now.
There is a tick but not a tock
The clock ticks but does not tock.
Although into the room it chimes
The clock chimes into the room.
It only tells me half the time
The clock only tells half the time, due to not tocking.
Why do you leave me so confused?
The situation is causing confusion and frustration.
I'll miss my bus, my job I'll lose
The clock's failure to keep accurate time could lead to negative consequences.
Oh, what is wrong, my wooden clock
The clock is not functioning correctly.
It breaks my heart to see you stop
The clock's inability to function properly is emotionally upsetting.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAMES CARGILL, PATRICIA ANN KEENAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind