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The Shins released a new video for their track “It’s Only Life,” off recent album Port of Morrow, today. The clip, directed by Hiro Murai, who also directed St. Vincent’s “Cheerleader” video, features a monster who have captured frontman James Mercer.
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As the video opens a boy, clad in a red cape, and his dog run through the woods in some suburbs. The pair come across an abandoned car on the dirt road and instead of being concerned about its missing owner, pretend to drive it. Meanwhile the video cuts in shots of Mercer singing the dulcet tune and as the video progresses it seems that he is being dragged across some grass. Later we realize that there are a lot of abandoned cars and garbage littered the empty roads. What’s happened to all the people? Well, we suggest you watch and see:
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There’s a definite “Where the Wild Things Are” vibe to the clip, particularly as the monsters (which you may recognize from the Port of Morrow cover art) seem both terrifying and adorable. Which is not to say that we’d want to meet one on the street. This video is effective because it’s simple – the slow reveal of the narrative matches the slow croon of the song it’s been made for. What do you think of the video? Are the monsters cute or concerning? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.
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The Shins are touring this summer with White Rabbits and Washed Out. Check out the full tour dates below:
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07/23/12 – Melbourne, Australia – Festival Hall
07/25/12 – Sydney, Australia – Hordern Pavilion
07/27/12 – Byron Bay, Australia- Splendour In The Grass Festival
07/29/12 – Nigata, Japan – Fuji Rock Festival
08/03/12 – Chicago, IL – Lollapalooza
08/04/12 – Toronto, Canada – Molson Amphitheatre
08/17/12 – Biddinghuizen, Holland – Lowlands 2012
08/17/12 – Grosspoesna, Germany – Highfield Festival
08/18/12 – Hasslet, Belgium – Pukkelpop 2012
08/21/12 – Amsterdam, Holland – Paradiso
08/23/12 – Zurich, Switzerland – Open Air Festival
08/24/12 – Paris, France – Rock En Seine
08/25/12 – Reading, UK – Richfield Avenue
08/26/12 – Leeds, UK – Bramham Park
09/22/12 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre
09/25/12 – Vancouver, BC – Orpheum Theatre
09/26/12 – Portland, OR – Keller Auditorium
09/29/12 – Mountain View, CA – Harmony By The Bay
09/30/12 – San Diego, CA – SDSU Open Air Theatre
10/02/12 – Universal City, CA – Gibson Amphitheatre
10/03/12 – Tucson, AZ – Rialto Theatre
10/04/12 – Albuquerque, NM – Kiva Auditorium
10/07/12 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
10/08/12 – Atlanta, GA – Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
10/10/12 – Houston, TX – House of Blues
10/11/12 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues
10/13/12 – Austin, TX – Austin City Limits
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For more from The Shins head to their Myspace Radio channel here.
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