The Shins as we once knew them are officially dead. Pitchfork and Stereogum have both reported that keyboardist Marty Crandall and drummer Jesse Sandoval apparently "aren't in the band" anymore. James Mercer dishes on the lineup shuffle, as well as some other extracurricular projects aside from The Shins. Read the full article here.Replacements include bassist Ron Lewis from Grand Archives + Fruits Bats and drummer Joe Plummer of Modest Mouse. In short, the fundamental changes were accredited to new composition/production ideas for their TBA fourth album.
This is rough for me. The only original members now remaining are (my unrequited love) Mercer and Dave Hernandez. And what a weird way to announce someone leaving - simply stating they are not a part of the band. Did they leave on the basis of creative difference/personal choice? Or were they more or less forced out of the band they originated? Either way it's sadness personified. I only hope this "new sound" isn't their grander intention to land on another movie soundtrack, commercial, or Starbucks compilation. How boring. How creatively pointless. Ultimately, I'm going to put my faith in James Mercer because nine year commitments don't come along too often for me. Show me this artistic RIP isn't all for some commercial crap, and I'll change my tune. Pun intended.
The Shins - Girl Inform Me [mp3]
From Oh, Inverted World (2001)
The Shins - Pink Bullets [mp3]
From Chutes Too Narrow (2003)
The Shins - Sea Legs [mp3]
From Wincing the Night Away (2007)
From Oh, Inverted World (2001)
The Shins - Pink Bullets [mp3]
From Chutes Too Narrow (2003)
The Shins - Sea Legs [mp3]
From Wincing the Night Away (2007)
In honor of the dearly departed members, and perhaps an era in weightlessly jangling, revelatory indie-pop, here's a mini thematic mixtape. After this loss, you think the band will start feeling a Phantom Limb?
