The Shins have been noted as a band to watch in recent years.

This Albuquerque based group has earned critical acclaim from such music power-houses like MTV and Rolling Stone Magazine for their 2001 release “Oh, Inverted World.” This, being their break out record, earned them a cult following all over the world.

“Oh, Inverted World” captures the Shins true sounds. Though not containing their best tracks to date, songs like “Know Your Onion!” and “The Celibate Life” gives you a good idea what the band is about.

Lyrics that surpass the typical pop façade fill this album to the rim. This almost gives one hope that real music may be beaten but is not yet dead.

Several songs from this album were also included on the Grammy winning soundtrack for Zach Braff’s “Garden State.” This achievement earned the Shins more praise from mainstream music companies and helped them gain more success.

To describe the sound of this band is as hard as describing how much plastic surgery Joan Rivers has had.

An eclectic sound of pop and alternative rock mixed with soul-searching lyrics make one question reason and the world make this record what it is.

Like appreciating a fine wine, “Oh, Inverted World” and any Shins album is an acquired taste.

Some may label this album as boring and uneventful. Indeed, there are no wailing guitar solos and the lead singer does not scream impossible to understand lyrics into the microphone. With this kind of album just put the CD in, sit back and relax.