THE COACHELLA 50
#8. The Shins - Saturday
Active: ’00s - Present
Natalie Portman said in Garden State, “The Shins will change your life.” Now, if Portman listens to the band is a matter of debate that will have to hold until next time, but no doubt that The Shins and maybe even Indie Rock has officially entered a realm between the mainstream and obscurity. The Shins, to me, honestly, is not a band that would replace The Smiths in that phrase of ____ will change your life, but they have the characteristics of an Indie darling, that is for sure.
The Shins have entered in 2001 with their debut Oh, Inverted World, an album that had them in a good direction but not quite them in full throttle. That is not to say, it’s not full of good work. There’s “New Slang,” a popular The Shins acoustic sing-along, or “Know Your Onion!” a gutsy guitar song. They came stronger in Chutes Too Narrow (2003) with songs like “Gone for Good” or “Kissing the Lipless” that has them with sharp, strong and little quirky lyricism. Wincing the Night Away, the newest release out now from 2007 is more imaginative and exploring in mood. “Australia” might be the lead in Wincing with its fun sing-along. “Phantom Limb” is also a fun number, a little mellower but a nice dreamy float. “Spilt Needle” gets them into a darker timbre that hits harder than the previous songs.
With a new release coming up soon entitled Port of Morrow, The Shins is a fun band with strong songwriting for a good time.
Listen to…
Albums
Oh, Inverted World (2001)
Chutes Too Narrow (2003)
Wincing the Night Away (2007)
Songs
1. “Know Your Onion!”
2. “New Slang”
3. “Kissing the Lipless”
4. “Gone for Good”
5. “Australia”
6. “Phantom Limb“
