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[img_assist|nid=1990|title=The Shins and Madison Square Garden|desc=|link=node|align=left|width=100|height=80]

I can only say that the show was absolutely terrific. Frizzy and I were totally blown away. We had seen The Shins in Brooklyn last year, but this set was really something special. Not only was it 2 hours of non-stop music but it was non-stop amazingly performed music. If *Sleeping Lessons*, which kicked off the concert, were any longer I might have thought I had wandered into a Phish concert. The Shins are really enjoying this tour and they have added a super little jam style to many of their tunes. *Sleeping Lessons* probably was extended to 10 minutes with all the buildup and eventual repeating of the entire lyric section (yes - they essentially did it twice). It was awesome and I really hope they do a live recording that will be made available.

I want to pass along their setlist if you want to know what they played. Check it out!

Sleeping Lessons (extended)
Australia
Pam Berry
Phantom Limb
Kissing the Lipless
Mine's not a High Horse
Girl Inform Me
Girl on a Wing (acoustic style)
New Slang
Saint Simon
Girl Sailor
Turn on a Square
Gone for Good (unfortunately not acoustic!)
A Comet Appears
Know Your Onion
Turn on Me
Caring is Creepy

**Encore**
Pressed in a Book
Someone I Care About (a cover of a Modern Lovers song)
So Says I

Whew! What a list! I felt like this was a coming out party for a band that will surely be remembered far into the future. They really are the best band currently working today.

James Mercer actually spoke quite a bit. Frizzy thought that he might be feeling more comfortable in front of a crowd lately. He made a quip that 'even his *parents* had heard of Madison Square Garden!' Marty Crandall was still the mouthpiece for the band, but it was nice to hear Mr. Mercer speak.