The Shins

The Shins' bittersweet, melodic mix of '60s psych-pop, folk, and power pop -- and James Mercer's elliptically emotional lyrics -- make them one of indie rock's definitive acts. The giddy, twenty-something heartache of 2001's Oh, Inverted World generated a landslide of critical acclaim that continued with the more polished sonics of 2003's Chutes Too Narrow. A prominent spot in Zach Braff's 2004 indie film sensation Garden State skyrocketed the band's popularity, making 2007's Wincing the Night Away a Grammy nominated, U.S. Top Ten hit. Soon after, Mercer branched out, working ...