Australia (The Shins song)

Last updated

"Australia"
Single by the Shins
from the album Wincing the Night Away
Released9 April 2007
Genre Indie rock
Length3:56
Label Sub Pop
Songwriter(s) James Mercer
Producer(s) James Mercer
Joe Chiccarelli
The Shins singles chronology
"Phantom Limb"
(2007)		"Australia"
(2007)		"Turn on Me"
(2007)

"Australia" is a song by American indie rock band the Shins, and is the second track on their third album, Wincing the Night Away . The song was released as the second single from that album in the United Kingdom on 9 April 2007. [1] [2]

Contents

All three versions of the single are currently available on the United Kingdom iTunes. It is one of the songs on the soundtrack of the Xbox 360 game Project Gotham Racing 4 and was also released as downloadable content for the Rock Band video game series initially through the Rock Band Network, [3] then in 2018 as DLC for Rock Band 4. [4]

The lyrics of the song have many interpretations. Despite its name, the song's lyrics do not reference Australia at all.

Music video

The official music video was directed by Matt McCormick. Shot in Vancouver, Washington, it shows the band members arriving at a car dealership. While one of them poses as a customer to distract the salespeople, the others coordinate a theft of the many gas-filled balloons the dealership has affixed to their cars to advertise their merchandise. They are discovered but manage to escape with the balloons in their van while the decoy walks away undisturbed. The group picks up the decoy down the road, before driving the van to a field where they release the balloons and watch them rise into the sky.

Reception

"Australia" was well received by critics. Pitchfork wrote that "'Australia' is a peppy rocker in the spirit of Chutes' best, elevated by a newfound confidence and expressive range in Mercer's voice." [5]

PopMatters wrote: "Still familiar and addictive, the song nevertheless turns the tried and true formula on its ear, coming off slightly like a New Wave dance anthem." [6]

The single entered the UK Singles Chart on 21 April 2007 at #62. [7]

Track listings

  1. "Australia"
  2. "Girl Inform Me" (performed by Jeremy Warmsley)
  3. "Caring Is Creepy" (performed by Polytechnic)
  1. "Australia"
  2. "Phantom Limb" (Radio 2 Session)
  3. "So Says I" (KCRW Session)
  1. "Australia"
  2. "Sleeping Lessons" (The RAC Mix)
  3. "Saint Simon" (Radio 2 Live Version)
  4. "Girl on the Wing" (KCRW Session)

Personnel

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Shins</span> American indie rock band

The Shins is an American indie rock band formed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1996. The band is the project of singer-songwriter James Mercer, who has served as the band's sole constant member throughout numerous line-up changes. The band's current line-up consists of Mercer, alongside Yuuki Matthews, Mark Watrous, Patti King (keyboards), and Jon Sortland (drums). They are based in Portland, Oregon.

Dave Hernandez is a Mexican guitarist, singer and songwriter. He is best known as a former member of the American indie rock band The Shins, with whom he recorded four studio albums. Hernandez is currently the guitarist of the post-punk band The Intelligence, and is the former vocalist and guitarist of the punk band Scared of Chaka.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Today (The Smashing Pumpkins song)</span> 1993 single by the Smashing Pumpkins

"Today" is a song by American alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins, written by lead vocalist and guitarist Billy Corgan. The song, though seemingly upbeat, contains dark lyrics; Corgan wrote the song about a day in which he was having suicidal thoughts. The contrast between the grim subject matter of the song and the soft instrumental part during the verses, coupled with use of irony in the lyrics, left many listeners unaware of the song's tale of depression and desperation. The song alternates between quiet, dreamy verses and loud choruses with layered, distorted guitars.

<i>Oh, Inverted World</i> 2001 studio album by The Shins

Oh, Inverted World is the debut studio album by American indie rock band The Shins, released on June 19, 2001, to critical acclaim. Omnibus Records put out an initial run of vinyl distributed by Darla. Sub Pop Records reprinted the vinyl, but the Sub Pop logo only appears on later pressings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Slang</span> 2001 single by The Shins

"New Slang" is a song by American rock band The Shins, released in February 2001 as the lead single from the group's debut studio album, Oh, Inverted World (2001). Written by guitarist and vocalist James Mercer, it concerns his hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico and his experiences there in his late 20s. The lyrics are fueled with "angst and confusion," as Mercer was finding himself constantly depressed and disconnected from his friends and scene. The song attracted attention from Sub Pop Records, who issued the song as a single in February 2001. The buzz created by the song led to positive press for the group's debut album, Oh, Inverted World.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Mercer (musician)</span> American singer-songwriter (born 1970)

James Russell Mercer is an American singer-songwriter and musician. He is the founder, vocalist, lead songwriter, and sole remaining original member of the indie rock group The Shins. In 2009, Mercer and producer Danger Mouse formed the side project Broken Bells, for which they released a self-titled album in March 2010, followed by After the Disco in 2014, and then Into the Blue in 2022. Mercer also has acted, appearing in Matt McCormick's feature film Some Days Are Better Than Others, which premiered in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Twistin' the Night Away</span> 1962 single by Sam Cooke

"Twistin' the Night Away" is a song written and recorded by Sam Cooke. It was recorded on 18 December 1961 and released as a single in 1962. It became very popular, charting in the top ten of both the Billboard Hot 100 (#9) and Billboard's R&B chart (#1). "Twistin' the Night Away" was successful overseas as well, peaking at #6 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Obstacle 1</span> 2002 single by Interpol

"Obstacle 1" is a song by American rock band Interpol. It was released as the second single from their debut studio album, Turn on the Bright Lights, on November 11, 2002. It was eventually remixed by producer Arthur Baker and reissued as a single on September 15, 2003. The music video for "Obstacle 1" was directed by Floria Sigismondi. The song peaked at number 41 on the UK Singles Chart and was critically acclaimed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neighborhood 3 (Power Out)</span> 2005 single by Arcade Fire

"Neighborhood #3 " is an indie rock song by Canadian rock band Arcade Fire. It was the third single released from the band's debut album, Funeral.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Happy House</span> 1980 single by Siouxsie and the Banshees

"Happy House" is a song written by Siouxsie Sioux and Steven Severin and recorded by their band Siouxsie and the Banshees. It was released as a single in March 1980 by record label Polydor, then later included on the band's third album, Kaleidoscope. "Happy House" was the group's first record made with guitarist John McGeoch and drummer Budgie.

<i>Wincing the Night Away</i> 2007 studio album by The Shins

Wincing the Night Away is the third studio album by the indie rock group The Shins. It was released by Sub Pop Records on January 23, 2007, and is the last album released under The Shins' contract with Sub Pop. The album was recorded in James Mercer's basement studio, Phil Ek's home in Seattle and in Oregon City with the veteran producer Joe Chiccarelli. It was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album.

"Phantom Limb" is a song by American indie rock band The Shins, and is the fourth track on their third album Wincing the Night Away. The song was also released as the first single from that album in the United States on November 14, 2006 as a digital download and a week later on CD. On January 22, 2007, "Phantom Limb" was released as a single in the United Kingdom. This song was #75 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Best Songs of 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turn on Me</span> 2007 single by The Shins

"Turn on Me" is a song by American indie rock band The Shins, and is the seventh track on their third album Wincing the Night Away. The song was released as the third single from that album in the UK on September 3, 2007.

"Sea Legs" is a song by American indie rock band The Shins, and is the fifth track on their third album Wincing the Night Away. The song was also released as the fourth single from that album in the United Kingdom on December 2, 2007 as a digital download. The 7" was limited to only 500 copies and came signed by the band. "Strange Powers" is a Magnetic Fields cover.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tame Impala</span> Australian psychedelic music project

Tame Impala is the psychedelic music project of Australian multi-instrumentalist Kevin Parker. In the recording studio, Parker writes, records, performs, and produces all of the project's music. As a touring act, Tame Impala consists of Parker, Dominic Simper, Jay Watson, Cam Avery, and Julien Barbagallo. The group has a close affiliation with fellow Australian psychedelic rock band Pond, sharing members and collaborators, including Nick Allbrook, formerly a live member of Tame Impala. Originally signed to Modular Recordings, Tame Impala is now signed to Interscope Records in the United States and Fiction Records in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Band of Skulls</span> English rock band

Band of Skulls are an English rock band from Southampton, consisting of Russell Marsden ; Emma Richardson and Matt Hayward were previously members. The group formed after meeting in college, although Marsden and Hayward have been friends since high school. Band of Skulls have released five studio albums, their most recent being Love Is All You Love in April 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broken Bells</span> American rock band

Broken Bells is an American indie rock band composed of artist-producer Brian Burton and James Mercer, the lead vocalist and guitarist for the indie rock band The Shins. Broken Bells compose and create as a duo, but are joined by Dan Elkan and Jon Sortland when performing live. The previous live band included Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band sidemen Nate Walcott and Nik Freitas, and Jonathan Hischke and Dan Elkan, both ex-members of Hella. Following their 2010 self-titled debut album, the duo released an EP, Meyrin Fields, in 2011 and their second studio album, After the Disco, in 2014. In 2022 they released a third studio album, Into the Blue.

<i>Work</i> (album) 2010 studio album by Shout Out Louds

Work is the third studio album by Swedish indie rock band Shout Out Louds. It was released in the United States and Canada on 23 February 2010, in Scandinavia on 24 February 2010 and in Germany, Australia, Switzerland, and Austria on 26 February 2010. The album was preceded by 2007's Our Ill Wills. The first single off of Work was "Walls", which was released as a free MP3 download through the band's website. The second single, "Fall Hard", was made available as free streaming audio on the band's MySpace website over a month before the album's release.

<i>Port of Morrow</i> (album) 2012 studio album by The Shins

Port of Morrow is the fourth studio album by American rock band The Shins. The album was released March 19, 2012, on Aural Apothecary and Columbia Records and was co-produced by Greg Kurstin and frontman James Mercer. The Shins' first studio album in five years, following the release of 2007's Wincing the Night Away, followed major lineup changes in the group: founding members Dave Hernandez, Marty Crandall (keyboards) and Jesse Sandoval (drums) departed in 2009. Mercer deemed it an "aesthetic decision" to part ways with his bandmates, and in the interim, founded side project Broken Bells with Danger Mouse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Shins discography</span>

The discography of American rock band The Shins consists of five studio albums, one live album, one remix album, three extended plays, two splits, twenty-three singles, and twenty one music videos.

References

  1. ↑ "The Shins follow UK tour with new single". NME. UK. 28 February 2007. Archived from the original on 2 March 2007. Retrieved 28 February 2007.
  2. ↑ "The Shins Have Confirmed Their New Single". Angry Ape. 28 February 2007. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 28 February 2007.
  3. ↑ "Australia" – The Shins // Rock Band Archived 15 March 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ↑ " – DLC WEEK OF 11/01: FINGER ELEVEN, THE SHINS, STROKE 9, AND JEFF WILLIAMS FT. CASEY LEE WILLIAMS!
  5. ↑ "The Shins: Wincing the Night Away". pitchfork.com. Retrieved 24 October 2010.
  6. ↑ "The Shins: Wincing the Night Away". popmatters.com. Retrieved 24 October 2010.
  7. ↑ "The Shins". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 October 2010.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.