The Shins

In the late 1990s, the Albuquerque indie-rock band Flake Music morphed into the Shins, led by vocalist-guitarist James Mercer. Upon the release of 2001's OH, INVERTED WORLD, the Shins garnered a landslide of critical acclaim with their amiable, 1960s-influenced power-pop. Subsequent touring further raised the group's profile, and their eagerly awaited sophomore album, CHUTES TOO NARROW, revealed another set of clever and quirky pop-rock ditties. A prominent spot in Zach Braff's 2004 indie film sensation GARDEN STATE exploded the band's fanbase and third record debuted in the top ten without sacrificing critical raves. The Shins even scored an unlikely chart hit in 2007's "Phantom Limb."

• rock