Complete List Of The Shins Albums And Songs

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The Shins were formed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1996 by James Mercer. The band has released five studio albums: Oh, Inverted World (2001), Chutes Too Narrow (2003), Wincing the Night Away (2007), Port of Morrow (2012), and Heartworms (2017). The full-length The Worm’s Heart (2018) is a complete reworking of Heartworms, with the songs rearranged, re-recorded, and presented in reverse order. The Shins have also released the live album Live at Third Man Records and several extended plays, including Nature Bears a Vacuum (1999), Live Session EP (iTunes Exclusive) (2007), and Port of Morrow Acoustic EP (2012).

The Shins have received critical acclaim and commercial success, with Wincing the Night Away debuting at number two on the Billboard 200 and earning a Grammy nomination for Best Alternative Music Album. Their music has been featured in various films and TV shows, most notably their song “New Slang” in the film Garden State. The band’s lineup has seen several changes over the years, with James Mercer remaining as the sole constant member. The Shins are known for their melodic indie rock sound, characterized by Mercer’s distinctive vocals and songwriting.

THE SHINS FULL-LENGTH ALBUMS

Oh, Inverted World (2001)

Oh, Inverted World is The Shins’ debut studio album, released on June 19, 2001. The album marked the band’s entry into the indie rock scene with its catchy melodies and introspective lyrics. The album received critical acclaim and gained the band a dedicated following. It peaked at number 168 on the Billboard 200.

James Mercer led the recordings, with contributions from members of the band’s early lineup. The album was produced by Mercer and The Shins.

CD Track Listings:

1. “Caring Is Creepy” – 3:20
2. “One by One All Day” – 4:08
3. “Weird Divide” – 1:58
4. “Know Your Onion!” – 2:27
5. “Girl Inform Me” – 2:20
6. “New Slang” – 3:51
7. “The Celibate Life” – 1:50
8. “Girl on the Wing” – 2:50
9. “Your Algebra” – 2:23
10. “Pressed in a Book” – 2:55
11. “The Past and Pending” – 5:23

Chutes Too Narrow (2003)

Chutes Too Narrow is The Shins’ second studio album, released on October 21, 2003. The album showcased a more polished sound compared with their debut. It was recorded in James Mercer’s basement home studio, with later mixing at Seattle’s Avast! Recording Co. with assistance from Phil Ek. The album peaked at number eighty-six on the Billboard 200 and was well-received by critics.

The album featured James Mercer on vocals and guitar, Dave Hernandez on bass, Marty Crandall on keyboards, and Jesse Sandoval on drums.

CD Track Listings:

1. “Kissing the Lipless” – 3:19
2. “Mine’s Not a High Horse” – 3:20
3. “So Says I” – 2:48
4. “Young Pilgrims” – 2:47
5. “Saint Simon” – 4:24
6. “Fighting in a Sack” – 2:26
7. “Pink Bullets” – 3:52
8. “Turn a Square” – 3:10
9. “Gone for Good” – 3:12
10. “Those to Come” – 4:23

Wincing the Night Away (2007)

Wincing the Night Away is The Shins’ third studio album, released on January 23, 2007. The album represents a shift toward a more experimental sound, incorporating electronic elements and lush arrangements. It was recorded in James Mercer’s basement studio, at Phil Ek’s Seattle studio, and in Oregon City. The album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, making it their highest-charting album.

The album featured James Mercer on vocals and guitar, Dave Hernandez on bass, Marty Crandall on keyboards, and Jesse Sandoval on drums. It was produced by James Mercer and Joe Chiccarelli.

CD Track Listings:

1. “Sleeping Lessons” – 3:58
2. “Australia” – 3:56
3. “Pam Berry” – 0:56
4. “Phantom Limb” – 4:47
5. “Sea Legs” – 5:22
6. “Red Rabbits” – 4:30
7. “Turn on Me” – 3:41
8. “Black Wave” – 3:19
9. “Spilt Needles” – 3:45
10. “Girl Sailor” – 3:44
11. “A Comet Appears” – 3:49

Port of Morrow (2012)

Port of Morrow is The Shins’ fourth studio album, released on March 20, 2012. The album marked the return of The Shins after a five-year gap between studio albums and featured a new lineup. It was recorded primarily in Los Angeles in 2011. The album debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 chart.

The album featured James Mercer on vocals and guitar along with contributions from Greg Kurstin, Joe Plummer, Dave Hernandez, Janet Weiss, Marty Crandall, Eric D. Johnson, Ron Lewis, and other musicians. It was co-produced by Greg Kurstin and James Mercer.

CD Track Listings:

1. “The Rifle’s Spiral” – 3:30
2. “Simple Song” – 4:15
3. “It’s Only Life” – 4:02
4. “Bait and Switch” – 3:23
5. “September” – 3:33
6. “No Way Down” – 3:16
7. “For a Fool” – 3:57
8. “Fall of ’82” – 3:48
9. “40 Mark Strasse” – 4:39
10. “Port of Morrow” – 5:50

Heartworms (2017)

Heartworms is The Shins’ fifth studio album, released on March 10, 2017. The album returned to the band’s earlier sound while incorporating new stylistic elements. It was recorded primarily in Oregon between 2015 and 2016. The album peaked at number twenty on the Billboard 200 chart.

The album featured James Mercer on vocals and guitar with contributions from Yuuki Matthews, Mark Watrous, Joe Plummer, Jon Sortland, Richard Swift, and other musicians. Mercer served as the principal producer, with Richard Swift also receiving a production credit.

CD Track Listings:

1. “Name for You” – 3:10
2. “Painting a Hole” – 4:45
3. “Cherry Hearts” – 3:33
4. “Fantasy Island” – 4:47
5. “Mildenhall” – 3:20
6. “Rubber Ballz” – 3:17
7. “Half a Million” – 3:23
8. “Dead Alive” – 3:34
9. “Heartworms” – 2:57
10. “So Now What” – 3:38
11. “The Fear” – 5:26

The Worm’s Heart (2018)

The Worm’s Heart is a complete reworking of The Shins’ previous album, Heartworms. Released on January 19, 2018, the album features alternate versions of the same songs with the original track order reversed and the arrangements reimagined. The slower songs were transformed into faster performances and vice versa.

The Worm’s Heart was produced by Yuuki Matthews, Jon Sortland, and James Mercer.

CD Track Listings:

1. “The Fear (Flipped)” – 4:41
2. “So Now What (Flipped)” – 4:18
3. “Heartworms (Flipped)” – 3:09
4. “Dead Alive (Flipped)” – 4:34
5. “Half a Million (Flipped)” – 3:26
6. “Rubber Ballz (Flipped)” – 3:29
7. “Mildenhall (Flipped)” – 4:17
8. “Fantasy Island (Flipped)” – 3:26
9. “Cherry Hearts (Flipped)” – 2:51
10. “Painting a Hole (Flipped)” – 3:10
11. “Name for You (Flipped)” – 4:01

THE SHINS LIVE ALBUMS

Live at Third Man Records (2013)

Live at Third Man Records captures The Shins performing in the Blue Room at Third Man Records in Nashville. The performance was recorded live direct-to-acetate in October 2012 and released on June 25, 2013.

Track Listings:

1. “Australia”
2. “Simple Song”
3. “Bait and Switch”
4. “Phantom Limb”
5. “So Says I”
6. “The Rifle’s Spiral”
7. “Marisa / No Way Down”
8. “Port of Morrow”

THE SHINS EXTENDED PLAYS

Nature Bears a Vacuum (1999)

Nature Bears a Vacuum is The Shins’ debut EP, released during the band’s early period on Omnibus Records. The four-song release predates Oh, Inverted World.

Track Listings:

1. “Those Bold City Girls” – 2:04
2. “Eating Styes from Elephants’ Eyes” – 1:41
3. “We Built a Raft and We Floated” – 2:02
4. “My Seventh Rib” – 2:37

Live Session EP (iTunes Exclusive) (2007)

Released in 2007, this five-song EP features live-in-studio performances recorded at the Record Plant in Hollywood.

Track Listings:

1. “Phantom Limb” (iTunes Session) – 4:27
2. “Australia” (iTunes Session) – 3:53
3. “So Says I” (iTunes Session) – 2:46
4. “Girl Sailor” (iTunes Session) – 3:48
5. “Turn on Me” (iTunes Session) – 3:42

Port of Morrow Acoustic EP (2012)

Released in 2012, this bonus EP features acoustic versions of selected Shins songs and was made available through independent record stores with Port of Morrow.

Track Listings:

1. “Simple Song” (Acoustic) – 4:00
2. “September” (Acoustic) – 3:26
3. “It’s Only Life” (Acoustic) – 4:04
4. “Young Pilgrims” (Acoustic) – 3:01

Read More: Top 10 Shins Songs

Updated August 20, 2026

Complete List Of The Shins Albums And Songs article published on ClassicRockHistory.com © 2026