The Shins

Say what? Remember that little band called the Shins. Despite owing Zach Braff their souls, the Portland-based via Albuquerque, New Mexico indie rockers haven't put out any new music in almost two years. Today an explanation as to why surfaces. Seems frontman James Mercer has put down the guitar and pen and has gone all "All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up" on us. Mercer will star in the Matt McCormick-directed movie Some Days Are Better Than Others (yes,... MORE

Wow. Martin Crandall of the Shins is in jail for rough-housing his girlfriend of a few years, Elyse Sewell, from America's Next Top Model fame. Read more from Elyse Sewell's livejournal here . You can view MC's inmate information here.

Everything went so well today (the work got done, the boss was pleased, the library had the books & dvd's I wanted, the boy was out right after school to be picked up, blue skys, brisk weather)....hot damn, what a good day. Here is a little something something to share...

There's trouble in indie la-la-land. The Shins multi-instrumentalist Marty Crandall was arrested in Sacramento along with his girlfriend, former America's Next Top Model finalist Elyse Sewell, this past Friday (January 4th). The pair got into a heated scuffle, where Crandall allegedly assaulted Sewell. Hotel personnel called in the authorities. Crandall was charged with felony domestic assault and held on $25,000 U.S. bail until Sunday, while Sewell was also held until S... MORE

In memory of the great Floyd keyboardist Rick Wright's passing, this Sunday Under the Covers comes courtesy of The Shins, with "Breathe".
R.I.P. Rick, thanks for the memories.  Give our regards to Syd.

Every once in awhile, whether it's a new song or a song I used to love and just rediscovered, I have a musical epiphany of sorts. Sometimes a song just couldn't be more perfect for the moment and it makes you feel invincible. It's an amazing feeling. I only wish I could hold onto it a little longer.

Someone's gotta tell me where to get this song!

At least, according to the Sacramento Sheriff's Dept website . The infamous livejournal entry is now friends-locked. However, you can see most of its contents on pitchfork here .

The Shins, Oh Inverted World Would love their songs

A first listen of The Shins, addictively catchy tune "Australia" leads one to believe this is the happiest, most go lucky tune on the planet. It is the musical equivilant to laffy taffy. So sweet, so damn good, it just hits the spot. A second listen and you realize the song is about a stripper. Yeah, yeah, there's been debate on the actual meaning of the song. Some say it's James Mercer's own insecurities about feeling like a less than stellar artist...other's grasp at t... MORE

I'm not sure if any fans of the television show Weeds would want to listen to its theme song for fun. The theme song is a bit too catchy and gets stuck in your head for ever. But for those who are not regular viewers of the show, you might love the new version by The Shins. It's the most in-thing for tv shows these days: to have the theme song covered by different bands each season. Musicians who have covered the Weeds theme previously include Angelique Kidjo, Billy Bo... MORE

This song sounds so awesome. It kind of reminds me of a video game, something like Super Mario Sunshine. Or like some computerized version of bubbles popping.

well, since im going to see them today, i figured what better thing to post for under the covers than the shins covering pink floyd? yes. only like seven more hours till i see the shins, silversun pickups, and modest mouse! whoo!

...my eyeballs popped open an hour before the alarm went off for some reason...and I'm rested...almost TOO rested...sheisse, son...what I'm feeling is akin to what Andrew "Large" Largeman felt like when he was walking through LAX on meds while taking a trip back home to Jersey in the film Garden State...been there before...all of this reminded me of when I covered that flick as a favor for a journo friend who wanted to go out of town with her boyfriend that week, she calle... MORE