THE SHINS
IF SHINS ALBUMS COULD TALK: A STORY IN 3 PARTS
ix. Introduction
Our story begins in Albuquerque, NM, in 1996. Brought together by a genuine love of pop music – and subsequent eschewal of college aspirations – singer/guitarist James Mercer, drummer Jesse Sandoval, keyboardist Marty Crandall and bassist Dave Hernandez formed The Shins. Mercer had taught himself to play the guitar as a teenager, while listening to bands like My Bloody Valentine and Echo & The Bunnymen. With time, he developed a more pronounced interest in ‘60s pop and the art of well-crafted songwriting. Mercer’s aesthetic, paired with the like-minded sensibilities of his bandmates, gave rise to this most friendly troupe of disbelieving pop heroes. And little did they know, The Shins would soon provide ample shit to hit the proverbial fan.
After seeing the band’s San Francisco show (in the midst of their tour opening for Modest Mouse), Sub Pop CEO Jonathan Poneman was smitten. And in 2001 – The Shins spoke their very first words.
I. Oh! Inverted World
2001’s Oh! Inverted World hurtled towards jaded, unsuspecting music fans at warp speed. The Shins’ unique pop sensibility was fresh, immediate, weird and exquisite – a cacophony of melodic intricacy tempered by a quirky, childlike enthusiasm. Recorded mostly in Mercer’s loft and Crandall’s basement, it became the little album that could – and would – turn indie-rock on its head. The Shins had arrived.
II. Chutes Too Narrow
If Oh! Inverted World came directly at you, then 2003’s Chutes Too Narrow kindly invited you in. In 2002, Mercer and Sandoval relocated to Portland, with Crandall soon to follow. In the summer of 2003, they started tracking new songs in…
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The Shins - Wincing The Night Away
SP705 - Released: January 23, 2007
To play music for a long time, you have to surprise the people that love you—while also surprising yourself. Recorded in singer/guitarist James Mercer’s basement studio, Phil Ek’s Seattle…
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Full Lengths
Chutes Too Narrow
Oh, Inverted World
Wincing The Night Away
Bluegrass Tribute to the Shins
Port of Morrow
EPs
Fighting in a Sack
Singles
So Says I b/w When I Goose-step Picture Disc
New Slang/ Sphagnum Esplanade
When I Goose-Step
When I Goosetep - Digital
Phantom Limb
Australia Single
Know Your Onion!
So Says I
RELATED
Such Great Heights
Echolocation
Burn To Shine 3 - Portland
Boy With a Coin
The Ruminant Band
Bishop Eyes
Click the white play button to stream audio or right click the link to download the MP3.
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Follow the links for QuickTime videos.
- The Shins - The Shins on Segways (MOV)
- The Shins - Sleeping Lessons (Live at the Crystal Ballroom) (MOV)
- The Shins - A Comet Appears (Live at the Crystal Ballroom) (MOV)
- The Shins - Girl Sailor (Live at the Crystal Ballroom) (MOV)
- The Shins - The Past and Pending (MOV)
- The Shins - New Slang (MOV)
- The Shins - Kissing the Lipless (MOV)
- The Shins - Know Your Onion! (MOV)
- The Shins - So Says I (MOV)
- The Shins - Turn on Me (MOV)
- The Shins - Australia (MOV)
- The Shins - Phantom Limb (MOV)
- No tour dates scheduled at this time.
- Promo Photo - Shins - Wincing promo 1 (by Brian Tamborello)
- Promo Photo - Shins - Wincing promo 2 (by Brian Tamborello)
- Promo Photo - Shins - Wincing promo 3 (by Brian Tamborello)
- Promo Photo - Shins - Wincing promo 4 (by Brian Tamborello)
- Bio - Wincing the Night Away
- Cover - Fighting in a Sack
- Cover - Chutes Too Narrow
- Cover - Oh, Inverted World
- Cover - Wincing The Night Away
- Cover - Bluegrass Tribute to the Shins
- Cover - Port of Morrow
