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The Shins — Sea Legs
Album: Wincing the Night Away
Avg rating:
7.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1633









Released: 2007
Length: 5:09
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Of all the churning random hearts under the sun
Eventually fading into night
These two are opening now
As we lie I touch you under fuller light

Girl, if you're a seascape, I'm a listing boat
For the thing carries every hope, I invest in a single lie
The choice is yours to be loved
Come away from an emptier boat

'Cause when the dead moon rises again
Be no time to stall or protocol to hem us in
And when the dog slides underneath the train
There's no time, no use to searching for the mutt's remains

Throw all consequence aside
And a cheerless pyre we will set alight

Of all the intersecting lines in the sand
I routed a labyrinth to your lap
I never used a map, sliding off the land on an incidental tide
And along the way, you know they try, they try

We got sea legs and we're off tonight
Can't have that to which they've no right
You belong to a simpler time
I'm a victim to the impact of these words and this rhyme

And we got sea legs
And we're off tonight
Can't have that to which they've no right
You belong to a simpler time
I'm a victim to the impact of these words and this rhyme

'Cause when the dead moon rises again
Be no time to stall or protocol to hem us in
Darling, when the dog slides, open the door and where'd she go?
There's no time, no use to searching for the mutt's remains

Throw all consequence aside
And a cheerless pyre we will set alight
Comments (154)add comment
I can never forget how the bass player was bouncing around like a pogo stick on this one when I saw them jam it, and the incredible sound at Club Quattro made us feel as if on the heaving deck of a ship. I was mightily impressed by Mercer's singing, and his guitar-playing was fantastic, as well...
Posted 3 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
fantastic - one of the best albums of the past 20 years!
Posted 3 years ago by tm    [ Reply ]
 1wolfy wrote:
Yes, it sure does..I love the last 60 secs, it is like 'rock and roll stew' by Traffic.  It could go on much longer and I'd love it.. ziggytrix wrote:
this tune chops up into a very sick instrumental groove.  the outro is pure gold.
 

 

Posted 4 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
Rip Richard Swift.

https://www.gofundme.com/medical-fund-for-richard-swift
Posted 6 years ago by Webfoot    [ Reply ]
This just became my favorite Shins song. 
Posted 6 years ago by bc    [ Reply ]
This my fav track  on this album.  I love covering it on the piano.  {#Bananapiano}

and it sounds like a sampling of Poker Chips being shuffled, wolverine.{#Rolleyes}
Posted 6 years ago by Michaeljcovel    [ Reply ]
Is that bottle caps I'm hearing?{#Ask}
Posted 6 years ago by wolverine    [ Reply ]
You amaze me again... one more for the 'to be purchased' list.
 
Posted 7 years ago by Richard_Gold    [ Reply ]
100% original, primo tunes. James Mercer is a musical genius.
Posted 7 years ago by dragon1952    [ Reply ]
 Posted: Feb 03, 2011 - 15:45 Huey wrote:
I bought this CD. Hate it. Who wants it? PM me. the best reason gets it. I pay mailing.

 

6+ years later and I'm wondering if you ever got rid of it. I just might PM you if I think about it later.  I've grown to like the Shins despite the fact I like this track best and the rest of their music is not as good.  Oh well....it can't all be AWESOMENESS!

Long Live RP!


Posted 7 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
Can I have an extended version with at least 5 min of that outro?
Posted 7 years ago by Broken_Ear    [ Reply ]
Such a great album overall.
Posted 8 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
I love this song because the singer uses his full range of vocal gymnastics and that makes it interesting to sing along with!
Posted 8 years ago by Stephen_Phillips    [ Reply ]
 TerryS wrote:
This song is soooo good for the swonnicles.

 
I was just thinking the same thing.


Posted 9 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
This song is soooo good for the swonnicles.
Posted 9 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
Saw them at Club Quattro in Shibuya on this tour; this song was the highlight; the mad, bass-driven, mass dance trance was incredible
Posted 9 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
Just came here and saw that the last two people had the exact same thought as me.
Posted 9 years ago by MJdub    [ Reply ]
Just keeps going up - 8 > 9 - brilliant!
Posted 9 years ago by Foot    [ Reply ]
Solid 8 and bumping to 9 for using the word "protocol" in the lyrics.
Posted 10 years ago by sleje    [ Reply ]
 bb_matt wrote:

Everyone in your church loves ears.
 
We love all body parts!  This song is marvelous...

hope you have a spring in your step bb_matt on this summer night in the northern hemisphere... 
Posted 10 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
Good stuff. ↑8 for me
Posted 10 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
me too, the same reason as well {#Biggrin}

Tippster wrote:
Upgraded to a 9.  This song just works for me.

 


Posted 10 years ago by ShamanManu    [ Reply ]
 Sasha2001 wrote:
The word genius gets tossed around too often, but I can't think of another word to describe this particular song.

 

Yea- these guys are pretty darn good. They need to hang out just a little further with the instrumental stuff and they'd be touching Pink Floyd territory.
Posted 10 years ago by misterbearbaby    [ Reply ]
Upgraded to a 9.  This song just works for me.
Posted 10 years ago by Tippster    [ Reply ]
The word genius gets tossed around too often, but I can't think of another word to describe this particular song.
Posted 11 years ago by Sasha2001    [ Reply ]
now that outro is what i call a groove!
Posted 11 years ago by Flipmode    [ Reply ]
good tune
Posted 11 years ago by Scientist79    [ Reply ]
Very nice!
Posted 11 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
 Lazarus wrote:

This song is good for the ears...
 

 
Everyone in your church loves ears.
Posted 11 years ago by bb_matt    [ Reply ]

This song is good for the ears...
 
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
Everyone in my chair loves this song. {#Yes}
Posted 11 years ago by MassivRuss    [ Reply ]
I NEED MORE SLINKY!
Posted 11 years ago by PopKombo    [ Reply ]
 drsteevo wrote:
someone should send Bill and email!  {#Eek}

edit: just sent him an email, hope he has a smartphone!
 
LOL, anyways I am always happy to hear this song twice in less than an hour...
Posted 12 years ago by itaish    [ Reply ]
someone should send Bill and email!  {#Eek}

edit: just sent him an email, hope he has a smartphone!
Posted 12 years ago by drsteevo    [ Reply ]
I am very curious to see what we hear after Ray Charles - Hit the Road Jack.  If it's Gazpacho - Never Winter, I will be hitting the road...
 
sbegf wrote:
....and here it is second time in an hour...never heard this happen before on RP...glad the set is to my liking...but a third time through might be a bit much. 
 


Posted 12 years ago by Merritt    [ Reply ]
I predict Stephen Stills, down the road next...haha
Posted 12 years ago by sbegf    [ Reply ]
....and here it is second time in an hour...never heard this happen before on RP...glad the set is to my liking...but a third time through might be a bit much. 
Posted 12 years ago by sbegf    [ Reply ]
Déja Vu ! ! !
Posted 12 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
 ozBillo wrote:
What a fantastic run of songs!!
And the Shins are a great band.
Lucky enough to see them when they came to Melbourne. 
 
Nice tune, too!
Posted 12 years ago by cohifi    [ Reply ]
What a fantastic run of songs!!
And the Shins are a great band.
Lucky enough to see them when they came to Melbourne. 
Posted 12 years ago by ozBillo    [ Reply ]
I do love this!
Posted 12 years ago by meinthecorner    [ Reply ]
More haunting brilliance
Posted 12 years ago by gjeeg    [ Reply ]
i think the cover art is the algae that ate the oil in the gulf of mexico unless i'm wrong
Posted 12 years ago by coy    [ Reply ]
 1wolfy wrote:
Yes, it sure does..I love the last 60 secs.  It could go on much longer and I'd love it.. ziggytrix wrote:
this tune chops up into a very sick instrumental groove.  the outro is pure gold.
 

 



I agree, it's a shame the rest of the song doesnt benefit from a similar treatment.
Posted 12 years ago by black321    [ Reply ]
 sirdroseph wrote:
This does not sound like The Shins which in this case is a compliment. Not that there is anything wrong with the traditional Shins sound, it is just nice to hear something sound totally different from the same group.
 
What I was thinking..
Posted 12 years ago by gemtag    [ Reply ]
 sdn wrote:
And when the dog slides underneath the train
There's no cry, no use in searching for the mutt's remains.
Throw all consequence aside
And a cheerless fire we will set alight.
 
Yep, the usual highly obscure Shins words. Great sound, gnomic lyrics with metaphors beyond the understanding of most mortals, including this listener. 8 from the head-scratching Nottingham jury.

Posted 12 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
This does not sound like The Shins which in this case is a compliment. Not that there is anything wrong with the traditional Shins sound, it is just nice to hear something sound totally different from the same group.
Posted 13 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
Great song, great album, great band. Period.
Posted 13 years ago by Vinni_NL    [ Reply ]
great album name.


Posted 13 years ago by zenhead    [ Reply ]
7 > 8 Gets better w/ every listen.
Posted 13 years ago by Foot    [ Reply ]
Yes, it sure does..I love the last 60 secs.  It could go on much longer and I'd love it.. ziggytrix wrote:
this tune chops up into a very sick instrumental groove.  the outro is pure gold.
 

Posted 13 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
this tune chops up into a very sick instrumental groove.  the outro is pure gold.
Posted 13 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
 Huey wrote:
I bought this CD. Hate it. Who wants it? PM me. the best reason gets it. I pay mailing.
 
Funny, borrowed the CD from a friend because of this song, absolutely love this song.  Did not like another single track, but definitely didn't dislike it enough to pay someone to take it..ha.

I did find the music was very well recorded, very clean.  Especially enjoyed cranking up this song.

Posted 13 years ago by sbegf    [ Reply ]
In a wierd way i get a little of Caravan out of that. Loads of other little querky influences too.
Still not buying it tho.
Posted 13 years ago by gumbo73039    [ Reply ]
I bought the vinyl. That's how much I like this...
Posted 13 years ago by maubus    [ Reply ]
 gjeeg wrote:
One of the finest albums of the past twenty years. Endless genuis.
 
What? Why? I like the song too but wow. It's not Earth shattering or anything. Right? I also have the album and don't think much of it. Just okay. Not anything more. I'd love to find out where the genius is.

-J

Posted 13 years ago by jazong    [ Reply ]
 splooge wrote:
Hmmm, don't know much about these guys, but, that was a goodern.
 
if you liked this then try listening to Broken Bells. It's Mercers other band. It's actually a duo with one of the Dangermouse guys. there's a video for "the high road" on you tube. you'll probably like a lot. 

Posted 13 years ago by DD rabbi_phil    [ Reply ]
 splooge wrote:
Hmmm, don't know much about these guys, but, that was a goodern.
 

Daggnabbitit.
U ned 2 git out mor.

Posted 13 years ago by KurtfromLaQuinta    [ Reply ]
I can't get enough of this song!!    {#Clap}
Posted 13 years ago by sdn    [ Reply ]
I bought this CD. Hate it. Who wants it? PM me. the best reason gets it. I pay mailing.
Posted 13 years ago by Huey    [ Reply ]
Hmmm, don't know much about these guys, but, that was a goodern.
Posted 13 years ago by splooge    [ Reply ]
And when the dog slides underneath the train
There's no cry, no use in searching for the mutt's remains.
Throw all consequence aside
And a cheerless fire we will set alight.


Posted 13 years ago by sdn    [ Reply ]
When I heard the intro, I thought we were going to hear Soul Love from the Ziggy Stardust album. (And I have this Shins album, so I should have known better)

Posted 13 years ago by cosmiclint    [ Reply ]
wotta band!
Posted 13 years ago by k_trout    [ Reply ]

The Shins need a new album......It's been far too long....


Posted 13 years ago by Asmith    [ Reply ]
The more I hear from this band, the more I really find them amazing. I really gotta considering getting this CD! Thank you RP for introducing me to better and better music that I cannot find almost anywhere else!{#Bounce}

Posted 13 years ago by Kimberly8    [ Reply ]
One of the finest albums of the past twenty years. Endless genuis.
Posted 14 years ago by gjeeg    [ Reply ]
I would never pick the shins to put up and listen, but always enjoying them when Bill plays them.
Posted 14 years ago by Martino    [ Reply ]
 1wolfy wrote:
recently bought this CD and I'm enjoying it
 
I bought it and never play it. Don't like it tbh. Still I enjoyed the outro on this, might have to give the CD another try. If I still don't like it I'll send it to someone who wants it.

Posted 14 years ago by Huey    [ Reply ]
THEY SHINE!
Posted 14 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
Very nice, like the cover too.
Posted 14 years ago by Zigi    [ Reply ]
Is that a ratchet from a socket set in the background?
Posted 14 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly    [ Reply ]
Snaky and synchopated.  Sterling song.
Posted 14 years ago by Sorcha    [ Reply ]
Proper Job
Posted 14 years ago by daedalus    [ Reply ]
Damn......... this is good stuff!


Posted 14 years ago by mrdak    [ Reply ]
This has got to be my favourite CD of all time! I listen to it everytime I'm in my car. LOVE IT! {#Bounce}
Posted 14 years ago by stephw    [ Reply ]
Great song.
Posted 14 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]

James Mercer - The Shins by ~Jantjeh
Jan Mulders   ©2006-2010 ~Jantjeh

The Shins frontman James Mercer, October 2006, Amsterdam. I was the first in a very very very long row of journalists and photographers. (2full days of interviews and photoshoots, at least he was still ''fresh'' here, poor soul)



Posted 14 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
 ick wrote:
I hear a little "Muskrat Love" by Captain and Tennille in there!
 
Heh, not that there's anything wrong with that

Posted 14 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
recently bought this CD and I'm enjoying it
Posted 14 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
 woozurbuddy wrote:
This song is just cool.
 
oh yeah... especially the cool groove outro. solid 9 for me.
Posted 14 years ago by Flipmode    [ Reply ]
I love this song and its whole Album {#Bananajumprope}
Posted 15 years ago by diegotz    [ Reply ]
This gets a strong 8...
Posted 15 years ago by df1489    [ Reply ]
I got a little (over) saturated with this very fine album.  This reminds me how good it is.  Time to get it out again.
 
Posted 15 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]
 EniwaMan wrote:
When I first heard this, my first thought was, "Man, these guys have clearly listened to their share of classical music from India (as I have)."  The melody in that refrain, especially.  It's not that it sounds completely lifted from a raga––the rhythmic structure and instrumentation are obviously not Indian, but the melody and vocal style really do sound heavily influenced, shall we say.

I was sure that others would have mentioned this, so I went back and read all the song comments.  None!  Can I really have been the first to notice this, or am I just off my rocker?  I'm not a musician, so if I'm wrong, I'll defer to more informed opinion.  I wonder further, whether this song even uses the usual (if that's not ethnocentric) pentatonic scale or if, instead, it uses an Indian scale.  I tried to read about this on Wikipedia, but the article on the musical structure of the Indian raga was unreadable by a layman.  Can all you ethnomusicologists (professional or amateur) weigh in?  In any case, this song is just lovely.
 
Pretty well regular western musical scales going on here, perhaps with a few more key changes than the usual rockers. But wot's wrong wif being of ya rocker anyway?! I love it!

Posted 15 years ago by inindian    [ Reply ]
 EniwaMan wrote:
..the rhythmic structure and instrumentation are obviously not Indian, but the melody and vocal style really do sound heavily influenced, shall we say.
 
Dunno about India, I'm hearing Cocteau Twins in that singsongy style of theirs.
Posted 15 years ago by Frater_Kork    [ Reply ]
{#Good-vibes}
Posted 15 years ago by narc    [ Reply ]
When I first heard this, my first thought was, "Man, these guys have clearly listened to their share of classical music from India (as I have)."  The melody in that refrain, especially.  It's not that it sounds completely lifted from a raga––the rhythmic structure and instrumentation are obviously not Indian, but the melody and vocal style really do sound heavily influenced, shall we say.

I was sure that others would have mentioned this, so I went back and read all the song comments.  None!  Can I really have been the first to notice this, or am I just off my rocker?  I'm not a musician, so if I'm wrong, I'll defer to more informed opinion.  I wonder further, whether this song even uses the usual (if that's not ethnocentric) pentatonic scale or if, instead, it uses an Indian scale.  I tried to read about this on Wikipedia, but the article on the musical structure of the Indian raga was unreadable by a layman.  Can all you ethnomusicologists (professional or amateur) weigh in?  In any case, this song is just lovely.


Posted 15 years ago by EniwaMan    [ Reply ]
IMHO they sound like The Republic Tigers on this song, or (since The Shins are the older band) should I say The Republic Tigers sound like The Shins? {#Stupid}
Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
Yum! {#Guitarist}
Posted 15 years ago by Frawg    [ Reply ]
yuck,{#Headache}
Posted 15 years ago by wrangler    [ Reply ]
Another winner from these guys! I may need to open the wallet.....
Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
indeed!!!

{#Bounce}


 lophrequa wrote:
magical
 


Posted 15 years ago by floydoftherocks    [ Reply ]
 8 —-> 9

Posted 15 years ago by oldkcscdj    [ Reply ]
magical
Posted 15 years ago by lophrequa    [ Reply ]
 kaybee wrote:
WOW!  This is yet another album that I'm going to have to buy, thanks to RP!  This song doesn't sound as much like the others on this album.  I'm hearing a lot of Tull influence and even a bit of Jefferson Airplane.
 
I agree!

Posted 15 years ago by K_Love    [ Reply ]
Neat!
Posted 15 years ago by susafina    [ Reply ]
WOW!  This is yet another album that I'm going to have to buy, thanks to RP!  This song doesn't sound as much like the others on this album.  I'm hearing a lot of Tull influence and even a bit of Jefferson Airplane.
Posted 16 years ago by kaybee    [ Reply ]
 Odyzzeuz wrote:
Funny, I heard the same echo.
 
Same here.  Browsed the thread just to see if I was the only one.  LOL

Posted 16 years ago by Monoman    [ Reply ]
Isn't this song COOL?!  See these guys live if you can!  I had the good fortune to see them in the great soundscape of Club Quattro back in November of '07, and they rocked way harder than anyone might have expected.  The supremely talented bass player was absolutely MANIC, and on this song, he seemed to be having the time of his life.  To think that a few short years ago almost nobody knew a thing about The Shins...and hopefully in a few more, everyone will be jamming to new songs that might even top this beauty!
Posted 16 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
Time to ratchet this from a 7 to an 8. {#Dance}
Posted 16 years ago by RadioDoc    [ Reply ]
ick wrote:
I hear a little "Muskrat Love" by Captain and Tennille in there!
Ick!
Posted 16 years ago by Ulises    [ Reply ]
I hear a little "Muskrat Love" by Captain and Tennille in there!
Posted 16 years ago by ick    [ Reply ]
The more I hear these guys, the more I like 'em.
Posted 16 years ago by Krispian    [ Reply ]
Most of the shins stuff is exceptionally good music, this one included.
Posted 16 years ago by felam    [ Reply ]
underarmor wrote:
"Dead angels, speak to me sometimes"
Funny, I heard the same echo.
Posted 16 years ago by Odyzzeuz    [ Reply ]
I just bought this cd ... cool
Posted 16 years ago by KMH    [ Reply ]
Of all the music acquisitions I've made as a direct result of listening to RP this CD is the one I'm happiest about. I've got it in my car as both a stand alone album and several of the cuts are in the mixes I make.
Posted 16 years ago by typecast    [ Reply ]
outstanding
Posted 16 years ago by lophrequa    [ Reply ]
underarmor wrote...
"dead angels speak to me sometimes"
Huh? I listening to both songs, one after the other, and side by side.....no comparison. Also, as lyricists go: James Mercer walks all over Jon Crosby. (I'm also a fan of VAST)
Posted 17 years ago by DeadEvan    [ Reply ]
i think i like this one because it doesn't sound anything like the shins. :)
Posted 17 years ago by grace6697    [ Reply ]
Like this one, but it's not too much CURE?
Posted 17 years ago by raga    [ Reply ]
Finally, a Shins song I like! Very nice sound.
Posted 17 years ago by meloman    [ Reply ]
"Dead angels, speak to me sometimes"
Posted 17 years ago by underarmor    [ Reply ]
kcr89 wrote:
Absolutley amazing....one of my favorites on the CD. I don't know much about it so, does anyone know why a non-swear word is censored in the CD booklet? Or are all the lyric sites wrong?
They are all wrong.
Posted 17 years ago by Misterfixit    [ Reply ]
shutter wrote:
What everyone else said. Superb piece of work.
One more vote for that!
Posted 17 years ago by musikalia    [ Reply ]
buddy wrote:
Exactly! Kinda "funky" for The Shins.
did i miss smth? - this song is the one of worst one from the shins.
Posted 17 years ago by greencoffeeman    [ Reply ]
What everyone else said. Superb piece of work.
Posted 17 years ago by shutter    [ Reply ]
Best song on this amazing CD.
Posted 17 years ago by aronson    [ Reply ]
Absolutley amazing....one of my favorites on the CD. I don't know much about it so, does anyone know why a non-swear word is censored in the CD booklet? Or are all the lyric sites wrong?
Posted 17 years ago by kcr89    [ Reply ]