I have admittedly been chomping at the bit to get my hands on the latest Shins' release since August, when I had the pleasure of seeing them one-up the always solid Modest Mouse on the main stage at Seattle's Bumbershoot Festival. Now that it has finally arrived, there should be no doubters left among the pop-rock set - these guys are the shit. Picking up where they left off on 2001's "Oh, Inverted World," the Portland, Oregon based group craft more bittersweet and lyrically elegant pop-rock songs than you may have thought possible. Highlights include opener "Kissing The Lipless" with handclaps galore, and the first single, "So Says I." This record also contains one of the best songs of the year in "Saint Simon," complete with a "la da dum" chorus perfect for moping around with your headphones on in the rain. A minor classic. -Dave Mix, Oct.28.03

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