Port of Morrow

So excited for the new The Shins album due out March 20. If this early release is any indication, it's going to be just the kind of thing I'll listen to every time I plant my butt in the ol' Town and Country until my kids beg me to please, for the love of Normal Rockwell and The Lettermen, cut it out.

When James Mercer's side project, Broken Bells (which was basically Mercer and Danger Mouse's Brian Burton) released The High Road, I wore out my album. Okay, it wasn't an album. But if it would have been an album, I would have worn it out. In fact, I'm wearing it out, still. 

The Shins' history is kind of a fun tale of unexpected success. I'd love to interview James Mercer, or even guitarist Neal Langford, who, allegedly, took a hiatus from the band to pursue hot air ballooning in Albuquerque. I mean, that would be a tough call. Touring with The Shins? Floating in a basket in the clouds over a city with one of the best names ever? The only thing better would be to tour with The Shins in a hot air balloon over Albuquerque. 

So thankful that there are talented folks out there cranking out a steady supply of music for my personal enjoyment.