Originally expected this summer, the third album from indie rock darlings the Shins is now penciled in for an October release via Sub Pop. The as-yet-untitled album is the follow-up to 2003’s “Chutes Too Narrow,” which has sold nearly 379,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
Recording got underway last September with producer Phil Ek in Seattle, but the project is being finished up in frontman James Mercer’s Portland, Ore.-based studio. “It seems to be not very effective for me to try and write new material out on tour,” Mercer told Billboard.com in 2004. “I’m so out of sorts, just being in a hotel. We never have time, either. You’re either recovering or you’re in a van driving.”
The Shins hope to have the album completely finished by the time they return to live duty with a May 17-18 stand at the Koko Theatre in London. The other U.K. shows will follow, including a May 21 appearance at the All Tomorrow’s Parties Festival.
For now, the group’s North American plans are limited to the Sasquatch! festival (May 27) in George, Wash., and Lollapalooza (Aug. 6) in Chicago, plus a July 6 gig at Los Angeles’ Hollywood Bowl with Belle & Sebastian.
Source billboard.com.
