Song of the Day: The Shins - Girl Inform Me

I recently read that The Shins are working on a new album, which I think I'm excited about. There was a time around when their second album came out that they were one of my favorite bands, and I still think the first two albums are the shit. But I didn't find the third LP all that fascinating, and I didn't care much for lead singer James Mercer's Broken Bells, so I'm hesitant to get my hopes up too much.

But still...the first album especially...it's just so good (here I find it necessary to validate my fandom by repeating that I was listening to them pre-Garden State and was lucky to see them play to about 100 people back then). While "New Slang" is probably the best song, it was so overplayed that I feel the need to share something else, and there are so many great songs to choose from, this isn't exactly a chore. So here's "Girl Inform Me," one of many perfect pop songs from Oh, Inverted World.

Song of the Day: Beachwood Sparks - Old Manatee

In honor of my last full day at the beach, today's song is from one of my favorite underrated Sub Pop albums, Once We Were Trees by Beachwood Sparks.  I saw these guys open up for pre-Garden State Shins at the old Kings Barcade in Raleigh, when Beachwood was touring for this album and The Shins for their debut,  Oh, Inverted World (also one of my fav Sub Pop records).  Although this guy isn't the world's greatest singer, the laid-back atmosphere of the album, and in particular the banjo in this song, sound fantastic.  Just a great record to listen to while chilling at the beach.