The Shins: Oh, Inverted World

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We dive into the Shins' debut album O Inverted World, examining how James Mercer established a unique sound that would define indie rock in the early 2000s.
• The Shins formed in 1996 in Albuquerque, New Mexico with James Mercer as the driving creative force
• The band's breakout hit "New Slang" gained massive popularity after being featured in the film Garden State
• Oh, Inverted World showcases Mercer's distinctive songwriting style with thoughtful lyrics and unique melodies
• The album blends influences from 60s psychedelic rock with contemporary indie sensibilities
• Standout tracks include the opening "Caring Is Creepy," the hypnotic "One By One All Day," and the French horn-featuring closer "The Past and Pending"
• The Shins have maintained relevance with James Mercer as the consistent creative force through lineup changes
• Beyond The Shins, Mercer has worked on side projects including Broken Bells with producer Danger Mouse
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to check out our other deep dives into classic indie albums and don't forget to subscribe to Greatest Non-Hits wherever you get your podcasts.
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Chapters

1. Introducing The Shins (00:00:00)

2. Caring Is Creepy: First Song (00:07:35)

3. One By One All Day (00:11:30)

4. Know Your Onion (00:15:35)

5. Girl Informant & New Slang (00:19:56)

6. Girl On The Wing (00:27:25)

7. Your Algebra & Past and Pending (00:30:35)

8. Final Thoughts On The Album (00:39:25)