Shining a Light on The Shins
Ah, the Shins. It’s hard to think of any other band that encapsulates the spirit of the indie rock scene over the last two decades quite like the Shins. If you want to talk about smart, hipster music, the Shins are the quintessential band to turn to.
The Shins were formed in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1997 by James Mercer, who had previously been a member of the band Flake Music. Mercer had started writing and performing solo material under the name the Shins in 1996, and in 1997 he recruited Jesse Sandoval, Marty Crandall, Dave Hernandez, and Neal Langford to form the full band.
The Shins’ music has always had an indie-rock vibe, but their sound is also incredibly eclectic and hard to pin down. They’ve dabbled in everything from folk to pop to country, and their sound has been shaped by a number of different influences, including the Velvet Underground, Pavement, and the Beatles. Mercer’s lyrics also have a certain wry wit to them, making his songs both fun and clever.
The Shins released their first album, Oh, Inverted World, in 2001, and it was an instant hit with indie fans. The album received rave reviews from critics, and it earned the band a cult following. The album spawned the hit single “New Slang,” which was featured in the movie garden State and went on to become one of the band’s signature songs.
The Shins followed up Oh, Inverted World with Chutes Too Narrow in 2003, and it was another critical success. The band continued to tour throughout the 2000s, and they released their third album, Wincing the Night Away, in 2007. The album was a commercial success, and it earned the band a Grammy nomination for Best Alternative Music Album.
In 2012, the Shins released their fourth album, Port of Morrow, and it was another critical and commercial success. The album spawned the hit single “Simple Song,” which was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rock Performance.
The Shins have continued to tour and release music over the years, and their music remains as fresh and exciting as ever. They have a loyal fan base that spans generations, and their music continues to resonate with both new and old fans alike.
So, if you’re looking for smart, hipster music that’s as fun as it is clever, then look no further than the Shins. With their eclectic sound, witty lyrics, and timeless appeal, the Shins are sure to be around for a long time to come.
The Shins: The Uproar
The Shins are an American indie rock band formed in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1996. The band is composed of James Mercer (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Joe Plummer (drums, percussion), Dave Hernandez (bass guitar), Eric Johnson (guitar, keyboards) and Jessica Dobson (guitar, keyboards).
The Shins have been the subject of a number of controversies over the years, primarily related to their changing lineup and the band’s decision to move away from a more traditional sound.
In 2009, the band’s original drummer Jesse Sandoval left the group, citing creative differences. Mercer and Sandoval had been the two core members of the band since its inception and the departure of Sandoval caused considerable uproar amongst fans.
In 2013, Mercer announced that the rest of the band would be leaving the group, leaving him as the sole remaining member. This decision was met with criticism from fans and other musicians, who felt that the band had lost an integral part of their sound.
In 2017, Mercer released ‘Heartworms’, a highly-anticipated album that marked the band’s move away from their traditional indie rock sound and towards a more synth-pop style. This decision was met with mixed reactions from critics and fans, some of whom felt that the new sound was too far removed from the band’s earlier work.
Finally, in 2019, the band released a single titled ‘Name for You’, which was met with accusations of sexism due to its lyrics. The single was met with a swift backlash from fans and critics, and Mercer later apologized for the song and promised to be more mindful of his lyrics in the future.
Overall, The Shins have been the subject of a number of controversies over the years, primarily related to their changing lineup and the band’s decision to move away from a more traditional sound. These controversies have largely been met with a mixed response from both fans and critics, but have nonetheless left an indelible mark on the history of the band.
Secrets of The Shins Revealed
• The Shins were formed in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1996.
• The band started as a side project of the band Flake Music, whose members included lead singer James Mercer and drummer Jesse Sandoval.
• The band released their debut album, Oh, Inverted World, in 2001, which was met with critical acclaim.
• The band’s second album, Chutes Too Narrow, was released in 2003 and was also met with critical success.
• The band’s third album, Wincing the Night Away, was released in 2007 and received a Grammy nomination for Best Alternative Music Album.
• The Shins had their song “New Slang” featured in the 2004 film garden State, which helped to increase the band’s popularity.
• The band’s fourth album, Port of Morrow, was released in 2012 and was their highest charting album to date.
• In 2018, the band released their fifth album, Heartworms, which was their first since 2007.
• The Shins have toured extensively throughout their career and have performed at music festivals such as Coachella, Bonnaroo, and Lollapalooza.
• The band has collaborated with numerous artists over the years, including Jenny Lewis, The Flaming Lips, and Spoon.
• The Shins are known for their eclectic sound, which is a mixture of indie rock, folk, and pop.
Tags: AlternativeMusic, AlternativeRock, ChutesTooNarrow, DaveHernandez, Heartworms, Indie, IndieBand, IndieMusic, IndiePop, IndieRockBand, InvertedWorld, JamesMercer, MartyCrandall, Music, NickBaskett, Oh, PopMusic, PortofMorrow, RockMusic, TheShins, WincingtheNightAway
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