You can take the young American out of England. But, even after four decades, you can't take England out of the now not-so-young American.
That is very specifically the case for James Mercer, the mastermind and sole original member of indie-rock favorite The Shins.
He is now leading the latest iteration of the band on a national tour to celebrate the 21st anniversary of its debut album, the deceptively gentle "Oh, Inverted World." The album's standout song, "New Slang," became belatedly popular after it was featured in a pivotal scene in the 2004 Zach Braff/Natalie Portman film "Garden State."
