Video: THE SHINS - DOUBLE BUBBLE (NEW SONG) - HOLLYWOOD PALLADIUM - 5/10/09

When frontmen go on solo tours as rumors of new albums swirl, there is a good chance they’ll road-test some possible material on you. These performances used to be intimate moments: an artist sharing something that was, at that point in time, reserved only for those lucky enough to be in the audience. But now that anyone can whip out their phone, press record, and have it uploaded to YouTube by the time the next song begins, these moments have become a little less confidential. And now we’re in on it, too. Many of us had [...]

"The Rifle's Spiral" (Live In Oakland) "Double Bubble" (Live In Hollywood) There you have it. Both new songs that The Shins have been playing with their new line-up. As you may know Martin Crandall (keyboard/bass) and Jesse Sandoval (drums) are gone, replaced with Ron Lewis (bass) and Modest Mouse drummer Joe Plummer, because front-man James Mercer is going for a new sound with his new tunes. The Shins are looking at 2010 for a new album on Mercer's new label Aural Apothacary. Until then, you can hear Mercer on the [...]

Idiot box n. Slang A television. I am pretty sure that the best podcast ever is This American Life from NPR. And even more sure than that, Andrew Bird is pretty much the most NPR friendly musician [...]

By eh As Pitchfork reported , head Shin James Mercer has jettisoned his two band mates for replacments Ron Lewis from Grand Archives and Fruit Bats on bass and Joe Plummer of Modest Mouse on drums. Now there's video circulating of the new trio in action, and what do you know, it's pretty good. "Double Bubble," as the above song is called, is way more rock and roll than anything they've done before. I kind of miss the dreamy psychedelia of their [...]

In a move that might break your twee-pop heart, the Lucksmiths are breaking up following their farewell tour of Europe and Australia. Post-breakup, the band members will reportedly be pursuing a variety of goals, from teaching primary school to "casual employment" (via Pitchfork). * The Shins have been shaking things up lately. In addition to leaving Sub [...]

First, we told you about their free agency, then about the two new members of The Shins, now here what has came out of that. We had heard it was going to be more upbeat, and this new track "Double...

Thanks to Stereogum for pointing out this video of a new Shins song played live in Hollywood. New album out in 2010 apparently/maybe?

Last week, Shins main-man James Mercer announced a lineup change, saying that the new lineup meshed better with his desire for a more percussive and rhythmic Shins. "Double Bubble," a new track the band performed in L.A. this week, points the direction of the new Shins; it's an ebullient, bouncy, and sort of muscular. Maybe this track will make up for the latter half of Wincing the Night Away . A new Shins album is due out in 2010 via Mercer's Aural Apothecary. [ Stereogum ]

A few things seemed different with the Shins after scoping those photos and setlist from their early tour stop at Seattle's Showbox: new songs ("Double Bubble" and "The Rifle's Spiral"), new members, no Sandoval and Crandall. When Jessica spoke with them for a Progress Report , Mercer confirmed it: Marty and Jesse are gone, replaced with Ron Lewis (bass) and Modest Mouse drummer Joe Plummer, because James Mercer is going for a new sound with his new tunes. "[The songs are] just a bit more rhythmic. They're kind of about the percussion and stuff. One of them [...]