By: Stacy Schwartz
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| The Shins - Photo by Stacy Sandstrom |
In 2004, I remember sitting in torts class as a friend handed me a copy of Chutes Too Narrow with the instructions, “Listen to this. It’s really great.” This was my introduction to The Shins, and it proved to be the beginning of a swirling, massive love affair of sorts. At that time, I was just beginning to listen to more independent music and The Shins became one of the bands that helped me solidify the decision that, really, this was the only type of music I wanted to hear. Wincing the Night Away, the long-awaited third album by The Shins, was released on Jan. 23. For the second time, the Shins decided to begin their tour to support their new album at First Avenue in Minneapolis. Since I missed the first go round, I knew I had to be there.
The show began with commentary by opening act Viva Voce about how f'ing cold our state is. Which makes sense considering it was like negative nine outside with a nice wind. I don't care how long you've lived here. That's icy finger and toe weather, and it sucks. You know when you finally get inside and they start to thaw? It's that "my fingers are on FIRE" feeling? ...but I digress... The music began when Kevin Robinson stated that Viva Voce had a “special message, just for us.” This message was the refrain to their track titled "We Do Not Fuck Around," which made me giggle with delight. As Kevin and Anita Robinson continued moving effortlessly through their album, I found myself unable to look away, afraid I might miss something. Watching Anita play guitar is mesmerizing. She moves with the music, which makes you move with it too. She and Kevin have a great connection as they play and it's just plain fun to watch them interact with each other. Kevin hammers the drums and I still can't wrap my mind around someone who plays drums and guitar at the same time while singing. Holy Hannah. My other favorite song of the set was the opening track to their album, "Believer." Yes, Viva... you made me believe.
After a short break The Shins appeared on a darkened stage with a bit of backlighting and plowed ahead into their first song, “Sleeping Lessons.” As the night progressed, the boys from Oregon often repeated how excited they were to be starting their tour in Minneapolis again. "It's been too long!" stated keyboardist and guitar player Marty Crandall. The crowd seemed to agree. It was no surprise that frontman James Mercer barely spoke at all except to thank the crowd at the end of the night. This, however, allowed Crandall to take over the role of spokesman, waving to the crowd like an excited kid on the playground while he bounced around in his indie-rocker tennies. During their short set, they played mostly tracks off the new album, including my two favorites, "Turn On Me" and "A Comet Appears." There was one slightly disturbing point in the night, during a bit of a lull, when Crandall did break into a Prince imitation. This was right after he asked the crowd if "Morris Day is in the house?" Hee! My guess is that a majority of the 18+ crowd didn't pick up on that reference. However, they seemed to know the music pretty well. So well, that at times I could hear them singing over the Shins, which says something since I had my earplugs shoved in tight.
Overall, I was highly pleased with The Shins performance and Viva Voce was the ideal opener to start the evening off right. Yes, every band has a few hiccups their first night of tour, and there were some lulls, but to me it was just what I wanted. A satisfying meal paired with the perfect wine.
The Shins setlist:
Sleeping Lessons
Australia
Pam Berry->Phantom Limb
Kissing the Lipless
Mine's Not a High Horse
Girl Inform Me
Girl on the Wing
New Slang
Saint Simon
Girl Sailor
Turn a Square
Gone for Good
A Comet Appears
Turn on Me
Caring Is Creepy
Pressed in a Book
So Says I
Location Info:
First Avenue
Artist Info: The Shins, Viva Voce
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