Since this all started with the Shins, I figure I best big up the Portlanders for their newest single "Phantom Limb," from their upcoming CD Wincing the Night Away.

The Shins have a quite a rep to live up to. They became the ultimate indie darlings after their many mentions in Garden State, and after they got an AC1 for "New Slang." This new single manages to cover those expectations in their prototypical nonchalant way, and is very apt at reminding you why they earned all that praise so long ago.

It is a rather unassuming song at first. It almost sounds like an out-take, since it's so breathless and seemingly tossed-off. But when the song stumbles into the chorus, it begins this deft climb. It rises gently and brilliantly (and still without stress or strain), and then builds to this amazing, minor chord crescendo. And then, you get to take the journey through two more verses and a bridge! Yay!

Seriously, check this out. It's not an AC1 yet, but if you listen to it now, when the AC1 does get posted, you can be all like "Yeah, whatever. I've been listening to that for days...."

All assail!