The Shins@ First Ave...

(All Photos Courtesy Jeremy Nelson)

James Mercer and co. brought some warmth and humor to a sold-out First Avenue crowd on another frigid Minneapolis evening, kicking off their U.S. tour here on Thursday night. Opening with ‘Sleeping Lessons,’ the first song off their excellent new album ‘Wincing The Night Away,’ the Shins we’re plugged in, energetic, but, due to this being the first show of the tour, a little rusty. Although that just added more feeling to their already fragile songs. They proceeded to play the new album in order for the first four songs, including their first single ‘Phantom Limb,’ which seemed to energize everyone in the club. But it is hard to dance to break-up songs, so the packed audience simply showed their appreciation with rapturous applause. The band really seemed to enjoy getting their touring legs under them again, and playing the new material live for the first time. Marty Crandall, as always, was having a blast. I read in an interview that he can’t shut up between songs, hating the awkward silences, and last night was no exception-cracking jokes, thanking the crowd, the ubiquitous ‘Is Prince in the house’ comment. But it was obvious the band was happy to be on stage in front of an audience again, and that was reflected in the vitality of their songs. Oh, Inverted World and Chutes Too Narrow songs took on a buoyancy and verve that was not as pronounced on the album versions, perhaps because James is in a better place now, married, not living next to crackheads, just plain happier. The songs are still heartbreaking and diaphanous at heart, but are now sung from the other side of the break-up with enough distance to allow the songs to be fun instead of bitter. And the electric guitars helped, as well. Their last show at First Ave was predominantly an unplugged affair for James, with the quiet songs getting drowned out by the boisterous drunks in the crowd. But last night, he stayed mainly electric on such standout tracks as ‘Turn On Me,’ ‘Girl Sailor,’ ‘Kissing The Lipless,’ ‘So Says I,’ and ‘Girl Inform Me,’ giving the reverential crowd plenty of songs to hum as they made their way home through the cold Minneapolis night. -Erik T(guest editor)
Again another big thanks to Erik, as I will be sure to make him a regular on this music site. Not only is he a better writer, gives a longer review, but he seems to go to a lot of shows that I miss(or miss basically the entire show). The only thing Erik needs is a Rock N Roll Camera. Erik you are now a part of the team and hopefully will write many more reviews... Cheers to everyone and a big thanks to Erik for the review and Jeremy for the photos..

The Shins Setlist

• Sleeping Lessons
• Australia
• 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

Encore:

Pressed in a Book

So Says I

For More pictures of the Shins Show Visit Jeremy's Flickr Page