In House #1809: New Apples in Stereo; The Shins in Salt Lake, Boise

It's been five long years since Robert Schneider's Apples in Stereo graced us with a new album, and even that one lacked the sunny, fuzzed-out pop the band had built their name upon. The unexplained gap, plus what were essentially Schneider's solo side projects The Marbles and Ulysses, caused some to begin to wonder if the Apples in Stereo would go the way of their once upon a time Elephant 6 brethren Neutral Milk Hotel, fading into a permanent hiatus. New Magnetic Wonder, the new album out on Elijah Wood's Simian label (along with co-conspirators yep roc), says no to that notion and in a big way. The album ranks well with anything Schneider's Apples have ever done, fitting in nicely in tone and substance with efforts like Her Wallpaper Reverie and The Discovery of a World Inside the Moone. In other words, it's a return to form with bouncy, psyched-out pop numbers like "Same Old Drag," and "7 Stars," alongside ambient snippets with names like "Vocoder Ba Ba," and "Droplet." The relative absence of drummer Hilarie Sidney, who split to spend more time on her own project High Water Marks, is noticeable, but she does contribute vocals and writing duties on two songs, including the splendid "Sunndal Song." The band is currently on the road supporting the new release, and will play Salt Lake City and Boise on March 31st and April 1st, respectively.


Also today, music from The Shins, who hit Salt Lake City's In the Venue tonight and Boise's Egyptian Theatre tomorrow night. The Portland-based band is, of course, touring in support of their third album, Wincing the Night Away, out late last month on Sub Pop. Not surprisingly, the generally well-received new effort has catapulted the band to new heights, marking Sub Pop's highest charting release since Nirvana's Nevermind. Despite that kind of popularity and (*yawn*) predictable hipster backlash, the album never even comes close to sucking.

In House #1809.
Airdate: 2/16/07
Focus: New release from the Apples in Stereo, New Magnetic Wonder, plus The Shins play Salt Lake City tonight and Boise tomorrow night. Also, new music from Aqueduct, Of Montreal, Yo La Tengo, and more.

BONUS MP3-
Apples in Stereo, from New Magnetic Wonder:

"Energy" (MP3)

PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #259

The Shins Play Letterman

The band celebrated Tuesday's new release by stopping by Late Night with David Letterman and offering up this version of (surprise!) not "Phantom Limb," but "Turn On Me." Oh, and James Mercer shaved the beard.

In House #1790: The Shins' Wincing the Night Away; New Rob Crow

Approaching four years since the release of their previous effort, Chutes Too Narrow, The Shins return tomorrow with Wincing the Night Away, their third full-length out on Sub Pop. Perhaps the pressure of being declared life changing music in a major motion picture had something to do with it, but the band has clearly been refashioning themselves along the lines of a template that includes an 80's jangle reminiscent of The Smiths or even XTC, to go alongside previously-established leanings in the direction of The Beach Boys and The Beatles. While The Shins still manage to sound like The Shins-- and how could you not with James Mercer singing the songs-- there's a discernible difference that doesn't exist between their first two albums. Less immediately mind-blowing, there's a quiet complexity to many of these songs that rewards upon repeated listenings. "Sea Legs," is a vamp of sorts that fans will likely be shocked to hear, while "Split Needles," is a synth-layered mid-tempo tune with the kind of catchy, minor-key chorus for which the band has been known. It's a tweaking of the formula as opposed to a reinvention, in other words, an addition at home in The Shins catalog as much as it stands opposed. After playing Letterman tomorrow night, the band will be touring extensively, including dates in Salt Lake City (In the Venue, Feb. 16th) and Boise (Egyptian Theatre, Feb. 17th).

The Shins

In House #1790.
Airdate: 1/22/07
Focus: New release out tomorrow from The Shins, Wincing the Night Away, plus new music from Rob Crow, Modest Mouse, The Good, The Bad, & The Queen, Menomena, and more.

BONUS MP3-
The Shins, from Wincing the Night Away:
"Phantom Limb" (MP3)

Clinic, from Visitations: "Family" (MP3)


PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #242

Get The Shins' Wincing the Night Away at Insound.