The new Calvin Johnson album A Wonderful Beast is an experiment in sound. Calvin entered the Audio Eagle Studio in Nashville, TN, working closely with Producer Patrick Carney and Chief Engineer Marc Whitmore. Michelle Branch, who scored many hits in the early double-0 decade as a solo artist and as a member of the Wreckers and lives next door to Audio Eagle, provides backup harmony vocals on three songs. All the songs on A Wonderful Beast are a collaboration between Calvin Johnson and Patrick Carney. Carney, best known for his work as a member of the Akron, OH powerhouse The Black Keys.