Anybody listen to The Shins ?

[jonhart]

I first found them on Letterman a while back, but I forgot their name. I was watching SNL last night, and of course they were on there. Now I know their name, and some of their other songs. I'm realy liking their stuff, don't realy know how to describe it. They definetly have their own sound though.

[teleswisster]

I'll give em a listen. Dude plays a LP Junior Special. The only other pro I've seen using one is Nels Cline who plays a lot with Wilco.

[suthol]

I've listened to a bit of their stuff and the only track that really grabs me is the one I heard first

[rokdog49]

Hi jonhart.
I can see why you like them. Pop Rock and they are very good at it. Has an 80's flavor to it which I have noticed is popular now.
I am way, way, way older than you, but I still like pop rock. Good stuff.
I'd play it. Nice to see some older people playing this stuff...a little surprising though.

I liked this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoLTPcD1S4Q

[mal paso]

Natalie Portman does

[teleswisster]

Yep. Good stuff.

[J-man]

I find their albums a bit inconsistent, but they have some good songs.

[jonhart]

They are a little different from what I usualy listen to. I'm a huge Clapton fan, and I love the Stones too. I'm definetly into classic rock, but I'm always looking for newer bands that are worth listening to. I've actualy found a lot of good rock bands that stay with the classic rock sound, yet they have thier own unique style to go with it. It's nice to know that there is still good bands left in the world. I'm not hating on this generation's music, I just like the older stuff.

[Collirem]

I have been a fan from the beginning ... back in 2001 when they still lived in New Mexico. "Oh Inverted World" is a masterpiece in early indie rock. "Chutes Too Narrow", the second album and "Wincing The Night Away" are good also. James Mercer then fired the drummer (Jessee Sandoval) & keyboard/bass player (Martin Crandell) in 2007 for new backup players. The result is the latest album "Port Of Morrow". That one I do not like so much. For all the effort in getting better skilled musicians, the playing lacks vitality and the material is too commercial sounding really lacking in originality. Their first album is still the best....

[E5RSY]

Originally Posted by Collirem

James Mercer then fired the drummer (Jessee Sandoval) & keyboard/bass player (Martin Crandell) in 2007 for new backup players. The result is the latest album "Port Of Morrow". That one I do not like so much. For all the effort in getting better skilled musicians, the playing lacks vitality and the material is too commercial sounding really lacking in originality.

Exactly. In my view, the latest doesn't even qualify as a Shins record, it's more a Mercer solo project.

On the other hand, Inverted World and Chutes are damned near perfect records, in my opinion.

[stantonmanton]

James Mercer is an incredibly gifted songwriter. The Shins are legit.

[vanklomk]

I was a DJ at our college radio station when Garden State came out (2004?) and everyone played the soundtrack to death. I have been a big fan ever since. Saw them live in 2006 and they were great. I think the new album has a couple solid tracks, but Chutes is my favorite.

[harold h]

James ambushed Jesse Sandoval with the firing and Jesse could not
find a job drumming and had to go to work operating a food truck.

[Brian J.]

chutes too narrow is awesome