“You gotta hear this one song – it’ll change your life.”
-Garden State

Today is (technically) my 100th post. I’ve had three status posts, so I’m pretty sure that this is post 97. Oh, and I didn’t try for at least 10 other posts, so we’ll call it post 87.

I, for one, welcome our new 87th post overlords!

And, being that this is a special day, I decided to debut a new feature…

Nick’s Essentials!

The above quote is spoken by Natalie Portman when she meets indie lover, and creator of the “Braff”, Zach Braff. What is the Braff? Well, according to Webster’s:

Braff [brah-f] -verb

1. To play an unpopular song in a popular venue, thus making it popular.

When I saw Garden State and realized that Natalie Portman was indeed listening to The Shins, I was excited. At the time, I had been rocking out to Chutes Too Narrow for a couple of months, and this was instant validation that I was even more cool than I expected.

Did I listen to Chutes Too Narrow more often (and possibly enjoy it even more) because it was referenced in a movie? It’s possible. Then again, I’d like to think that I love Chutes Too Narrow because it’s a great album. The CD opens with the line, “Called to see if your back was still aligned.” and continues on in glorious pop simplicity for the next 10 tracks. It’s the kind of album I put on while zooming around in traffic so I can sing/scream along to all the lyrics, singing mostly the harmonies. Ask Erin. She’s experienced this firsthand multiple times.

I think that this lack of simplicity is why Oh, Inverted World and Wincing the Night Away don’t work for me. What?!? Did he just say that he doesn’t absolutely love Oh, Inverted World and Wincing the Night Away?!? Get him, fellow Zach Braffians!!!

Well, I don’t. I know… how controversial. But hey, that’s just the way I roll. However, with how good Chutes Too Narrow is, The Shins could put out a couple of above average albums and still be considered a great band. And that’s why Chutes Too Narrow is one of Nick’s essentials.

Check out Young Pilgrim.

Happy 87th post!