BuzzSugar

BuzzSugar's 20 Favorite Albums of the Decade

BuzzSugar — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 10:30:30 PST

It's the end of the aughts, so I'm baring my entertainment-loving soul to you - first, I revealed my favorite movies of the decade, then my TV show picks, and now it's time for the aural revelation. What albums was I addicted to from 2000 to the end of 2009? Check out my slideshow to see my favorite music of the last 10 years.

Listen Up: The Shins on Merge Tribute Album

BuzzSugar — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 15:30:20 PDT

Merge Records, a music label responsible for records from the likes of Spoon and M. Ward, is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a tribute CD full of amazing bands covering a bunch of awesome songs.

Some of the bands on this compilation include The New Pornographers, Death Cab For Cutie, Ryan Adams, Okkervil River, Bright Eyes . . . the list goes on and on. It's a who's who of the indie music scene right now and they're streaming the whole thing for free for a limited time. I highly recommend heading over to take a listen.

One cover I loved so much I purchased it is by The Shins, a band I'm hoping gets to work on a new album soon (apparently I'm not alone). The upbeat, infectious song is called "Plenty Is Never Enough," and it was originally recorded by Merge band Tenement Halls.

You can take a listen to this song if you

Plenty Is Never Enough - The Shins

Buzz Brainteaser

BuzzSugar — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 04:30:14 PDT

Welcome to Buzz Brainteaser, the trivia feature on BuzzSugar! Every weekday I'll test your knowledge about TV shows, music, and movies. If you enter in the correct answer, you win points!

In 2004 this band, the Shins, appeared in an episode of what TV show?

Buzz Gift Guide: Entertainment Tees For Guys

BuzzSugar — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 06:30:15 PST

Welcome back to my Buzz Gift Guide series for all the entertainment lovers in your life. Last week I dug up fun t-shirts for the ladies so today I'm tackling the men's t-shirt department.

I love the idea of buying entertainment-related tees for guys because it not only shows you care, but that you really are listening when they quote, say, Arrested Development all the time. For those buddies I will be giving this t-shirt inspired by the show (and there are tons of other good ones!). I also know many a fellow who will get the joke on this It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia t-shirt (sing it with me: "Dayman! Fighter of the Nightman!"). And, oh my gosh, I think I'd die of laughter if I could get my dad to wear this Entourage t-shirt.

Fans of The Office might get a kick out of this Vance Refrigeration tee, and for the music-loving dudes in your world check out these t-shirts designed by bands like The Shins (proceeds go to charity!).

"Dayman" - It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia ($24.95)	Huge Mistake White T-Shirt ($24.99)
Vance Refrigeration T-Shirt ($24.00)	The Shins Charity T-Shirt ($25.00)	Entourage Let's Hug It Out b*tch Mens T-Shirt ($19.99)

Check out HolidaySugar for all of our holiday coverage and gift guides.

Hear What's on Natalie Portman's Playlist

BuzzSugar — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 08:30:00 PDT

I've always assumed Natalie Portman has good taste in music - simply because of her Shins-loving character in Garden State, I'm sure. But it turns out the actress really does know her stuff. Portman rounded up a pretty great set of collaborators for her new charity compilation, Big Change: Songs for FINCA, including M. Ward, Portman's My Blueberry Nights co-star Norah Jones, and - yup - The Shins.

The 16-song album, which is available exclusively through the iTunes Music Store for $7.99, benefits FINCA, an anti-poverty organization that provides financial services to low-income entrepreneurs around the world. (Portman serves as the group's "ambassador of hope.") Most of the songs are also available separately.

Among the songs I can't wait to check out: a remix of the Shins' "Australia" by the Bjorn of Peter, Bjorn and John; the intriguingly titled "My Night with the Prostitute from Marseille" by Beirut (which Portman apparently almost sang on); and the exclusive M. Ward track "What is a Soul?" To see the complete track listing, just

1. Tokyo Police Club, "Be Good"
2. Beirut, "My Night With the Prostitute From Marseille"
3. Tom Brosseau, "Plaid Lined Jacket"
4. Curumin, "Tudo Bem Malandro"
5. The Shins, "Australia (Bjorn Yttling Mix)"
6. Brett Dennen, "Ain't No Reason"
7. Sean Hayes, "Turnaroundturnmeon"
8. Thee More Shallows, "Oh Yes, Another Mother"
9. Angus & Julia Stone, "The Beast"
10. Antony & the Johnsons, "Paddy's Gone"
11. Vetiver, "Idle Ties"
12. Norah Jones, "Broken"
13. Devendra Banhart, "There's Always Something Happening"
14. M. Ward, "What Is a Soul?"
15. Wooden Wand, "Forgiveness Figg (Bethany Hotel Blues)"
16. Rogue Wave, "How We Landed"

Buzz News Roundup, 5/2

BuzzSugar — Wed, 02 May 2007 13:18:21 PDT

Variety reports that Mr. Bean's next role will be in an upcoming adaptation of David Copperfield, Charles Dickens' largely autobiographical novel.
The Shins, Modest Mouse, Incubus and Wolf Parade have signed on for the Download Festival, Billboard reports.
A screening of Babel in a Tokyo theater caused several moviegoers to fall ill, the AP reports.
Hugh Laurie will star in cop thriller Night Watch, his first major film role since "House" started, Zap2it reports.
According to the AP, Isaiah Washington will be in a public service announcement for the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network.
R. Kelly is writing a song to benefit the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund in the aftermath of the Virginia Tech shootings, the AP reports.
The principal who allowed "The Bachelor" contestant Amber to take a leave of absence from her teaching job for the show has been demoted, the Houston Chronicle reports.
"Newhart" sidekick Tom Poston has died, the Associated Press reports.

Source

Song of the Day: The Shins, "Sleeping Lessons (The Rac Mix)"

BuzzSugar — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 12:49:02 PDT

"Sleeping Lessons" is easily my favorite song off The Shins' latest album, Wincing the Night Away, and I like the way the band gives it an entirely different vibe on this remix from the new Australia EP.

The slowed-down "Sleeping Lessons (The Rac Mix)" eschews the startling mood swings of the original in favor of a more soothing and lullaby-like sound. To listen and tell me what you think,

Thanks to Idolator for posting the track.

Source

Song of the Day: Of Montreal Do the Shins' "Know Your Onion"

BuzzSugar — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 09:16:37 PST

Last week was a big week for indie rock, ushering in two highly anticipated new releases: the Shins' Wincing the Night Away and Of Montreal's Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? How fitting, then, to discover that Of Montreal have actually covered the Shins, and the result is this more psychedelic version of the neat little pop song "Know Your Onion," off the Shins' 2001 album Oh, Inverted World. To listen to the track,

CD Review: The Shins, Wincing the Night Away

BuzzSugar — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 09:37:03 PST

I've never been as smitten with The Shins as my music-listening peers, including Zack Braff and the hosts of most dinner parties I attend. The band's debut, Oh, Inverted World, was a jangly indie-rock pleasantry but often mellow to the point of boredom, while Chutes Too Narrow was catchier and twangy but not particularly deep.

I had high hopes when I heard the first track off the Shins's new album, Wincing the Night Away, which hits stores today. About one minute in to the slow-burning "Sleeping Lessons," vocalist James Mercer sings "Eviscerate your fragile frame / and spill it out on the ragged floor" with a sudden and chilling falsetto that later explodes into a wall of Strokesian guitars. The totally expected progression made me think this album would be different - catchy and complex in a way that earlier Shins albums just hinted at. But as with the Shins' other CDs, the standout tracks on Wincing the Night Away just make me long for more surprises, so

Most people had the same reaction as I did to the album's first single, "Phantom Limb." The tambourine-littered ditty was nice enough, but it would have fit comfortably and inoffensively on Oh, Inverted World or Chutes. That could be said for most of the tracks on this album, including the listless "Black Rabbits," which feels too much like filler.

What's frustrating is that the Shins so often hint at much more brilliant potential. "Australia," for instance, is an almost fiendishly excellent pop-song, with an addictive vocal melody set against perky banjo lines. Then, there's the utterly unexpected "Sea Legs," where a loping bass line and traipsing flute lead us into a funky prog-rock coda. But in the end, Wincing the Night Away, like other Shins' albums, has a handful of highly satisfying songs surrounded by others that are merely pleasant, making me wish the rest of the album were more remarkable.

Link Time! 1/16

BuzzSugar — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 16:22:34 PST

The Watcher has the scoop on more "Ugly Betty"/"Project Runway" crossover: Tim Gunn will guest-star on two February episodes.
Stereogum has the clip of the Hold Steady rocking out on Letterman.
Hecklerspray dishes that Jennifer Aniston will play a rival magazine editor on "Dirt."
Rolling Stone Daily points out that the Shins' SNL appearance is a first for Sub Pop.
You Ain't No Picasso gives us a taste of the new Ted Leo and the Pharmacists material.
TV with MeeVee chats with Margaret Cho before her appearance on "'Til Death."
Idolator introduces us to a sultry-voiced British chanteuse named Charlotte Hatherley.
Cinematical reveals that Tara Reid is eyeing a private-eye role.
The Movie Blog says Sundance is cracking down on ticket scalpers.
TVgasm wonders: Will "The View" serve calamari when Kellie Pickler guest hosts?
"Alias" and "Lost" creator J.J. Abrams may be involved in a Star Trek movie, says Film Rotation.
Popwatch reports you can already own the first 4 hours of this season of “24” on DVD