The wildly-popular indie pop/rock band The Shins have announced U.S. concert dates and released a long-anticipated follow-up album to their masterpiece Chutes Too Narrow, released in 2003.
There has been confusion in the blog world this week about the release date of the band’s new CD – Whincing The Night Away, and concert dates, venues and locations of the band’s upcoming U.S. tour.
A Tower Records commercial during John Stewart’s Daily Show last night (Jan. 25) said the album would be available in the stores this coming weekend (Jan. 27), but the online store and iTunes have had it available for the past two days on their websites.
So, for everyone out there who doesn’t think the album is available yet, it is. You can also head down to your local record store or pre-order the CD on Amazon for a Jan. 30 release date.
If you are unable to get your hands on it at the moment, you can still listen to samples of each song at any number of music-selling websites, like Amazon or Rolling Stone. 
The CD-only release of the Whincing The Night Away comes with a Digipak and is currently on sale at Tower’s website.
Whincing The Night Away is The Shins best work so far. It is a more structured band, but that does not infringe on the group’s famous melodic, meandering harmonies and compelling lyrics.
It’s a safe bet that this album will be one of the biggest albums of 2007 – with songs like “Phantom Limb,” “Australia” and “A Comet Appears”.
By the way, the tune “Split Needles,” which every Shins fan would eventually want in their collection, is only available online. And, for vinyl lovers, Subpop Records is selling a LP limited edition of the album on their website.
So now that you have sampled, purchased, and listened to the album, where can you go to see The Shins play live in 2007?
Well, the band polished off an early ’07 U.S. a few days ago in Portland, Oregon and are now reportedly resting up for what is sure to be a busy year for the band.
Make sure to check back with IRC as we keep close attention to changes, additions and cancellations of concert dates for dozens of artists like The Shins.
Finally, IRC is trying to verify and clarify what happened to a number of gigs that were booked earlier this month for places like California and are now not listed on the band’s website.
The Shins ’07 Concert Dates:
Here are The Shins’ most up-to-date (as of Jan. 26) concert dates and show venues for 2007 (notice the two new London dates).
February 9 at 8:00 PM
Eagles Ballroom – Milwaukee WI
February 10 at 8:00 PM
Congress Theatre – Chicago IL
February 11 at 8:00 PM
The Pageant – Saint Louis MO
February 12 at 8:00 PM
Liberty Hall – Lawrence KS
February 13 at 8:00 PM
Liberty Hall – Lawrence KS
February 15 at 8:00 PM
Fillmore Auditorium-Denver CO
February 16 at 1:00 PM
In The Venue – Salt Lake City UT
February 20 at 8:00 PM
Paramount Theatre-Washington in Seattle WA
February 21 at 9:00 PM
McMenamins Crystal Ballroom in Portland OR
February 25 at 8:00 PM
Astoria, London, UK
February 25 at 9:00 PM
Bush Hall, UK
JUST IN: The Shins have booked a gig at L.A.’s Gibson Amphitheatre as part of KCRW’s ‘Sounds Eclectic Evening 6’ with Lily Allen.
