I’d been meaning to check this band out for a while, seeing as how I’ve been hearing so much wonderful stuff about them. Still, I was skeptical, especially because once you’ve heard the hype about a band without hearing the band first, it rarely lives up.
Anyway, I put some of their songs on my download list. It’s exam week, and I’ve been up late studying. Last night at 2:00 I was planning to check my email and go to bed, when I saw that the songs had downloaded. I clicked on “A New Slang”, and the song played through. I played it again. I played it again. I listened to the other songs… absolutely amazing. I seem to have stuff from their first album. I hear that this year’s album is equally good but very different. I can’t wait until I have time to swing by a record store and pick it up.
“Sphangnum Esplanade” (I love the waltz cadence, wouldn’t a waltz scene in a movie with this song behind it be awesome?), “Pressed In A Book”, “A New Slang” and “The Gloating Sun” are absolutely heavenly. I just die every time I hear them, and it’s perfect.
I was angry last night, as I really wanted to sleep, but I had to hear more. What an incredible band. Their songs are like short, wonderful dreams, and the lyrics are pretty amazing at times, too.
I’m sure I’m not the only one here who is blindsided by the perfection of this band, am I?
What do they sound like? I mean stylistically, and also might you compare them to any other bands? Also, can I download their mp3s legally and for free anywhere?
I remember you liked the Yeah Yeah Yeahs too, so I am intrigued now.
It was New Slang that turned me on to them too. Weirdly, it was someone on Friendster who suggested them to me, and they wound up becoming one of my favorite bands, and quickly! I saw them play live a few weeks ago, and I can’t even describe it.
You haven’t mentioned any songs from the new album, but I very, very strongly recommend it. It’s incredibly expressive.
BBVL - I would describe them as closer to Pet Sounds era Brian Wilson (OK, that’s a bit much, but they are very good) than The Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Check out the songs I listed, and if you dig em, go buy the album. I know I will be at the first opportunity.
New Slang is my favorite of theirs, too. It was weird; about a year ago there was a McDonald’s commercial that had New Slang looped in the background…caught me by surprise.
Discovered them thanks to the recent BBQ pit thread pitting indie rock (and to think I clicked it in order to laugh along at the indie rock scene) - they are indeed fantastic (as are Ted Leo and the Pharmacists). You guys rock, I hope people come up with other fantastic music gems to share. I’m planning to order both The Shins’ albums as part of my end-of-semester present to myself. Merry Christmas, Excalibre!
Hooray, 'nother Shins fan! I heard ‘New Slang’ about 3 weeks ago and I’ve been gathering mp3s fanatically since. The song is wonderful - though I can’t quite figure out what it means, if anything. I mean, it makes sense, but in seperate chunks, if you know what I mean - still great though.
‘The Past and Pending’ floored me when I first heard it, ‘Saint Simon’ is excellent as well.
Hell, it’s ALL good.
I’m annoyed because I can’t find an album for sale anywhere here, and I don’t have a credit card so I can’t order online.
I was excited for 3 and a 1/2 minutes when I fi5rst checked their website - because they’re touring down here this month - hooray! But…nowhere near me. Damn the commercial un-importance of my town!
I saw them perform for the first time at the Austin City Limits Fest back in September. Holy CRAP, that was a great show! Something about the name just sounded like they’d be fun, and they really put on a great show, and the music was awesome!
Thanks for reminding me, now I’ve got something else to spend money on
That makes me happy! BTW, I just saw Ted Leo about 2 months ago in a club in Philly and it was sweet. The guy is a GREAT singer in person. There was only about 100 or so people there and we could get real close. I highly recommend it.
slu, I thought it was me who recommended the Shins!
Anyway, everybody, keep recommending them. When asked to describe them, I usually say XTC through a Brian Wilson filter, only way more unique than that suggests.
I highly recommend their cover of The Postal Service’s We Will Become Silhouettes. It is almost possible that I like The Shins’ version better than the original.
Awhile back, Moby had a show on MTV where he showed videos of up-coming artists. “Know Your Onion!” was played, and I’ve been a huge Shins fan ever since.
Saw them live last spring, and was completely blown away. Fantastic band.
Badandi - MTV? Uh oh. I think everyone in this thread should take an oath that if they hear anyone refer to the shins as “the next big thing”, they will shoot or otherwise harm that person at once. You don’t have to go for a fatal shot on the first offense, but after that…
Surely Canberra has at least one indie store? I mean, I know it’s pretty shite, but not that bad, surely?
If there aren’t any indie stores around, try JB Hifi Canberra. I don’t know if they’ve got it, but my local JB Hifi has heaps of copies of Chutes Too Narrow, on sale for $20.
I’d get it, but I’m saving up for the nice coloured vinyl edition I’ve found. I’m just hoping it doesn’t sell before I can get my hands on it.
Damn the commercial un-importance of my town!