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The Shins — The Past And The Pending
Album: Oh, Inverted World
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2188









Released: 2001
Length: 5:12
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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as someone sets light to the first fire of autumn
we settle down to cut ourselves apart.
cough and twitch from the news on your face
and some foreign candle burning in your eyes

held to the past too aware of the pending
chill as the dawn breaks and finds us up for sale.
enter the fog another low road descending
away from the cold lust, your house and summertime.

blind to the last curse of the fair pistols and countless eyes
a trail of white blood betrays the reckless route your craft is running
feed till the sun turns into wood dousing an ancient torch
loiter the whole day through and lose yourself in lines dissecting love.

your name on my cast and my notes on your stay
offer me little but doting on a crime.
we've turned every stone and for all our inventions
in matters of love loss, we've no recourse at all.

blind to the last curse of the fair pistols and countless eyes
a trail of white blood betrays the reckless route your craft is running
feed till the sun turns into wood dousing an ancient torch
loiter the whole day through and lose yourself in lines dissecting love.
Comments (159)add comment
Great song that ends a 10 album!................
Posted 2 years ago by Michaeljcovel    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

This song has completely different chords and progression but the tempo and the minor key probably make it reminiscent.


(reminiscent)/sounds like this rare sublime song
Posted 2 years ago by dischuckin    [ Reply ]
But oh, the horns! 
Posted 2 years ago by jmkate    [ Reply ]
 tinypriest wrote:

Total nonsense throw-away lyric. No clothes on this one.




Never heard, or felt, poetry?
Posted 2 years ago by BonzoWiltsUK    [ Reply ]
 mrtuba9 wrote:
Props to Neils Galloway on the french horn! R.I.P Neils  
Damn, born 4 days after me. 
Posted 3 years ago by eyke    [ Reply ]
My very favorite of all Shins songs. Not a complete departure from other Shins music, but certainly less "poppy" than other tracks. Of course, the same pensive lyrics also carrying into the tune itself. They must come from deep within. But this song only serves to underscore how deep Mercer's/The Shins talents lie given all their quality music, and that of Broken Bells. More, please.
Posted 3 years ago by johnalexford    [ Reply ]
Twenty years old already.
Posted 3 years ago by Pieter    [ Reply ]
Only on RP would nervous AF The Shins be considered mellow.
Posted 3 years ago by Grayson    [ Reply ]
 Edweirdo wrote:

Indeed - a word salad if ever I saw one.  Nice tuba though (could be a euphonium I suppose).
 

Do not agree with both parts of your comment oh and 

Props to Neils Galloway on the french horn! R.I.P Neils  
Posted 3 years ago by mrtuba9    [ Reply ]
 tinypriest wrote:
Total nonsense throw-away lyric. No clothes on this one.
 
Indeed - a word salad if ever I saw one.  Nice tuba though (could be a euphonium I suppose).
Posted 3 years ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
 tinypriest wrote:
Total nonsense throw-away lyric. No clothes on this one.
 
 You gotta be kiddin!
Posted 3 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
Total nonsense throw-away lyric. No clothes on this one.
Posted 3 years ago by tinypriest    [ Reply ]
 khardog145 wrote:


This album is really good and also Wincing the Night Away.  
 
This album is wincing the night away?           budda boom!
Posted 3 years ago by tinypriest    [ Reply ]
 khardog145 wrote:
 
 
Do you mean "too many notes?"
Posted 4 years ago by Aud    [ Reply ]
 Pilsenaaa wrote:
It seems too long , nooooo ?
 
Nope.
Posted 4 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
 westslope wrote:
Seems that every time RP spins a Shins song I like it.

Any suggestions as to what the first purchase should be?
 

This album is really good and also Wincing the Night Away.  
Posted 4 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
It seems too long , nooooo ?
Posted 4 years ago by Pilsenaaa    [ Reply ]
Simon and Garfunkel and you will even travel on the Greyhound westslope wrote:
Seems that every time RP spins a Shins song I like it.

Any suggestions as to what the first purchase should be?
 

Posted 4 years ago by Pilsenaaa    [ Reply ]
Always a good listen Thanks
Posted 4 years ago by stephen.king12101    [ Reply ]
Nice harmony
Posted 5 years ago by stephen.king12101    [ Reply ]
 westslope wrote:
Seems that every time RP spins a Shins song I like it.

Any suggestions as to what the first purchase should be?
 
Yes!  A monthly support payment to Radio Paradise!
Posted 5 years ago by 1jerry    [ Reply ]
Seems that every time RP spins a Shins song I like it.

Any suggestions as to what the first purchase should be?
Posted 5 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
Props to Neils Galloway on the french horn!
Posted 5 years ago by mrtuba9    [ Reply ]
Beautiful song, but I have no idea what the lyrics are telling me.
Posted 6 years ago by Typesbad    [ Reply ]
ZZZZ....

Not even if I was in a chair by the surf in the sun, and just finished my third Mojito.

Please, something to wake me up!
Posted 6 years ago by Clyde_Bedow    [ Reply ]
Thank you, Bill, for the "heads up."  An amazing song.  10 for me.
{#Meditate}
Posted 6 years ago by haretic    [ Reply ]
beautiful and disturbing, in worthwhile ways. 
Posted 6 years ago by jmkate    [ Reply ]
 lizardking wrote:

Same here CoJo!  One of the things I like best about The Shins is it's music that's best listened to, not just heard.  In fact, I need to practice my 'listen harder' skills as taught to me by one of my fav college profs; Dr. Marc Seales. 

Long Live RP!



 
Lizards rule.
Posted 6 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
The Shins will change your life. Yes, I know it's probably been posted before. So, sue me. {#Nyah}
Posted 6 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
Mercer and his Shins are astonishing.

Revelation.
Posted 6 years ago by gjeeg    [ Reply ]
 coloradojohn wrote:
I am continually stunned by the quality of recording, the flawless adherence to sonic excellence, and the level of lyrical brilliance here...

 
Same here CoJo!  One of the things I like best about The Shins is it's music that's best listened to, not just heard.  In fact, I need to practice my 'listen harder' skills as taught to me by one of my fav college profs; Dr. Marc Seales. 

Long Live RP!


Posted 7 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
I am continually stunned by the quality of recording, the flawless adherence to sonic excellence, and the level of lyrical brilliance here...
Posted 7 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
 ChrisVIII wrote:
 right ? I'm always amazed at how RP switches from one style to the other without having us really notice when it happened ! It's simply all fitting right, the songs are matching one another, it's impressive, I love it !

 
Indeed, and even if the songs don't exactly match musically, then at least they will match according to a certain theme.
Posted 7 years ago by DrLex    [ Reply ]
{#Bounce}
Posted 7 years ago by sunflowerbee    [ Reply ]
Merciful......get it!
Posted 8 years ago by Rockit999    [ Reply ]
ONE OF THOSE SONGS containing within it an entire Universe of quantum-entangled galaxies of feelings, yearnings, regrets, and lessons; perhaps we waste vast chunks of Time trying to analyze what may well be merely the inscrutable, enigmatic discharge dances of the infinite flux that rules and subjugates ALL...
Posted 8 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
It is interesting to hear his younger voice compared to later (more familiar) stuff say like on "Wincing the night away" album.  Makes you realise that through RP you are listening to peoples lives progress...
Posted 8 years ago by Stephen_Phillips    [ Reply ]
Love the French horn in here. For some reason this song just reminds me of being in school , college.
Even though it was so many years before this song was thought of.
  
Posted 9 years ago by Kaisersosay    [ Reply ]
 Zocket wrote:
As always, a smooth transition between Stranglers - Golden Brown to this, even though the songs are not really similar.  I think the transitions are among the things that make RP superior.

 
 right ? I'm always amazed at how RP switches from one style to the other without having us really notice when it happened ! It's simply all fitting right, the songs are matching one another, it's impressive, I love it !
Posted 9 years ago by ChrisVIII    [ Reply ]
all those here having a much better musical knowledge than me might laugh but, to me, this is typical brit pop. It's well done, not exceptional but pleasant to hear, hence, 7 :)
Posted 9 years ago by ChrisVIII    [ Reply ]
 ThePoose wrote:
The needle and the damage done.

oldman wrote:
The opening sounds like a Neil Young song.

 

 
This song has completely different chords and progression but the tempo and the minor key probably make it reminiscent.
Posted 9 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 bstevens1951 wrote:
7 > 8

 
Indeed!
Posted 9 years ago by DrLex    [ Reply ]
7 > 8
Posted 9 years ago by bstevens1951    [ Reply ]
Never heard it quite like I did just now, with the lyrics going into my heart like a knife into butter; the synchronicity of RP astounds me...
Posted 10 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
 Zocket wrote:
As always, a smooth transition between Stranglers - Golden Brown to this, even though the songs are not really similar.  I think the transitions are among the things that make RP superior.

 
too true Zocket.... good comment
Posted 10 years ago by Jannne    [ Reply ]
As always, a smooth transition between Stranglers - Golden Brown to this, even though the songs are not really similar.  I think the transitions are among the things that make RP superior.
Posted 10 years ago by Zocket    [ Reply ]
Window down cool driving through the Central Plains out of Sydney.  Good friends cold beer at the local, and the smell of cows up the road.  Thank you for the memories.



 
Posted 10 years ago by melzabutch    [ Reply ]

This shows as Robert Plant and Carbon Leaf......jest a little out of sinc on the playlist.

This is not a complaint, all good stuff.


Posted 10 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
 Rick_V wrote:
Still an amazingly great song.


Sadly, I'm living this song now.  

 
Achingly, hauntingly beautiful. You'll have to elaborate on the song's meaning - I can't fully understand most Shins lyrics.
Posted 10 years ago by Sasha2001    [ Reply ]
The needle and the damage done.

oldman wrote:
The opening sounds like a Neil Young song.

 


Posted 10 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
Still an amazingly great song.


Sadly, I'm living this song now.  
Posted 10 years ago by Rick_V    [ Reply ]
One of the best things about Radio Paradise lately is seeing the comments from relative newcomers to songs us (relative) old-timers discovered here years ago and have come to think of as familiar territory/oldies but were breathtaking on first hearing!
Posted 10 years ago by Carl    [ Reply ]
amazing Flow
Posted 10 years ago by Coldcreek    [ Reply ]
just lovely
Posted 11 years ago by stephw    [ Reply ]
Wow, quite pretty for being right between the eyes.
Posted 11 years ago by jmkate    [ Reply ]
Nice to hear this song again.  I always did like this song {#Music}
Posted 11 years ago by meadowwoods    [ Reply ]
What an interesting song.
Posted 11 years ago by ExpatLarry    [ Reply ]
The acoustic guitar on this reminds me of John Fahey's song "Rain Forest" from his 1986 release Rain Forests, Oceans and Other Themes.
Posted 12 years ago by cmplus    [ Reply ]
I need more French Horn ...
Posted 12 years ago by PopKombo    [ Reply ]
Nice sound on this album,
Posted 12 years ago by misterbearbaby    [ Reply ]
Was rated 9.  Now is a 10.  
Man, I love this song.  (Bought from Amazon.) 
Posted 12 years ago by rossiski    [ Reply ]
One of the best albums of the last 20 years IMHO.
Posted 12 years ago by terrapin52    [ Reply ]
I used to do that!   {#Sad}

Posted 13 years ago by cohifi    [ Reply ]
Yet another cd in my Amazon shopping basket (through the RP link of course). Not complaining at all. . . I seem to get most of my musical buying leads from here nowadays. . . 
Posted 13 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly    [ Reply ]
7 -> 8 for me.  Man, I cannot seem to get this song out of my head after I hear it on RP.  Same with that damn Broken Bells song.  Oh well, there are worse problems to have.
Posted 13 years ago by music_man    [ Reply ]
 siandbeth wrote:

I know! I'm trying to get the song name because it's a direct copy. 
 
 
It's a pretty standard, well-used, folk progression: E -A  - G - D, more or less.  Neil's lawyers would probably not pursue any legal action.



Posted 13 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
I need to get this album.  I have Wincing the Night Away, but it seems that the songs on this album get stuck in my head more frequently when played on RP.
Posted 13 years ago by flyboy    [ Reply ]
My favorite Shins song.
Posted 13 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
Hey, it's The Shins on RP! {#Wink}
Posted 13 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
oldman wrote: The opening sounds like a Neil Young song.


I know! I'm trying to get the song name because it's a direct copy.

Something off "Comes A Time" I think



Posted 13 years ago by sandpebble    [ Reply ]
Love this song
Posted 13 years ago by adamdbenson    [ Reply ]
 oldman wrote:
The opening sounds like a Neil Young song.
 
I know! I'm trying to get the song name because it's a direct copy. 
 
Posted 13 years ago by siandbeth    [ Reply ]
THIS BAND IS GOOD
Posted 13 years ago by cohifi    [ Reply ]
 WonderLizard wrote:

And they're no more. Sigh. For the longest time my ideal—never fulfilled—concert would have been Calexico, The Shins, and Iron & Wine. Great songwriters, impeccable craftsmen, and they all give you food for thought in addition to a good time.

 
WHAT?!? They have a show next week in Eugene. Are they already doing reunion gigs?

Posted 13 years ago by Sasha2001    [ Reply ]
One of the most poignant songs ever written, and sung well, too. Lovely musical arrangement throughout! Blows me away, farther each time, but only if I'm really paying attention. I am able to feel something painfully new and yet hauntingly familiar with every listen...
Posted 13 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
 davin wrote:
The Shins are based in Portland, Oregon. (but yes, they're from Albuquerque, New Mexico.)
 
And they're no more. Sigh. For the longest time my ideal—never fulfilled—concert would have been Calexico, The Shins, and Iron & Wine. Great songwriters, impeccable craftsmen, and they all give you food for thought in addition to a good time.

Posted 13 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
The Shins are one of those groups whose songs take on entirely new levels of depths when you read the lyrics.  Their music is fantastic, but their lyrics are positively poetic.  Finding a group that can achieve both seems too rare these days.
Posted 13 years ago by aaronm    [ Reply ]
The relationship ends, love drifts away slowly, like the horn at the end.
I love this song. So well conceived.
Posted 13 years ago by Sasha2001    [ Reply ]
I left the city.......................... Needle and the Damage. Niel should sue,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Posted 13 years ago by HarrO    [ Reply ]
Hypnotic...monotonous... Loses me toward the end.
Posted 13 years ago by Forest267    [ Reply ]
Forever Changes?
Posted 14 years ago by Mikelo    [ Reply ]
The opening sounds like a Neil Young song.
Posted 14 years ago by oldman    [ Reply ]
I like both versions of this song, one of The Shins better efforts no doubt!
Posted 14 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
I too dig the horn part, very nice touch.
Posted 14 years ago by Frater_Kork    [ Reply ]
Nice!!
Posted 14 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
As a french horn player I have to say that I appreciate the horn line in this piece.
Posted 15 years ago by seneca_dg    [ Reply ]
Superb.
Posted 15 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
 davin wrote:

Dear crazy,

I am surprised you do not find this guitar exciting.

Signed,
me

 
{#Lol}


Posted 15 years ago by spraehbuer    [ Reply ]
 crazy wrote:
lyrically ok, talent in instruments...??boring guitar 
 
Dear crazy,

I am surprised you do not find this guitar exciting.

Signed,
me

Posted 15 years ago by davin    [ Reply ]
.........just lovely...............great emotional song..........
Posted 15 years ago by wycado    [ Reply ]
nice lyrics, comfortable pace, easy on the psyche . . . .  I likey!


Posted 15 years ago by jjbix    [ Reply ]
lyrically ok, talent in instruments...??boring guitar 
Posted 15 years ago by crazy    [ Reply ]
 Relayer wrote:
 I love this song, so well written musically and lyrically.

Unfortunately, the lyrics just recently starting hitting too close to home as I found myself going through a very rough time with my wife.
 
Agree, agree, and relate. My sympathy, mate.

Posted 16 years ago by Carl    [ Reply ]
 nate917 wrote:

Ah, yes — where Bugs Bunny took a wrong toin.
 

At least NM is known for something....{#Rolleyes}
Posted 16 years ago by SantaFeGrace    [ Reply ]
 I love this song, so well written musically and lyrically.

Unfortunately, the lyrics just recently starting hitting too close to home as I found myself going through a very rough time with my wife.
Posted 16 years ago by Relayer    [ Reply ]
This was one of my first RP-inspired purchases. Thanks, Bill and Rebecca!
Posted 16 years ago by robco1    [ Reply ]
I love this whole album way beyond all pop music love.
Posted 16 years ago by ROSSinDETROIT    [ Reply ]
I can't listen to this album without hitting replay on this song 2-3x there at the end.
Posted 16 years ago by kilroyjoe3    [ Reply ]
 harmaton wrote:
The more I hear the more "the shins" rock.
 

Totally agree. Quality stuff!
Posted 16 years ago by nigelr    [ Reply ]
davin wrote:
The Shins are based in Portland, Oregon. (but yes, they're from Albuquerque, New Mexico.)
Ah, yes -- where Bugs Bunny took a wrong toin.
Posted 17 years ago by nate917    [ Reply ]
A classic tune from one of the very best pop bands of the last 10 years.
Posted 17 years ago by Rickvee    [ Reply ]
WonderLizard wrote:
Albuquerque. Quirky.
The Shins are based in Portland, Oregon. (but yes, they're from Albuquerque, New Mexico.)
Posted 17 years ago by davin    [ Reply ]
The more I hear the more \"the shins\" rock.
Posted 17 years ago by harmaton    [ Reply ]
Far and away my favorite from the Shins. Sublime.
Posted 17 years ago by robco1    [ Reply ]
hippiechick wrote:
Are they from California? Because they sound very California
Albuquerque. Quirky.
Posted 17 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
Easily my favorite Shins song.
Posted 17 years ago by robco1    [ Reply ]
Great harmonic structure. Good use of horns too!
Posted 17 years ago by p4jkafla    [ Reply ]
This was on my i-Pod earlier today. I could hear it every day for years. I love it. So deep. So sweet, so poignant, so damn GOOD, lyrically and musically, like all Shins songs. More Shins, Bill, anytime! 'As Natalie Portman so accurately put it, "The Shins will totally change your life."' Dang, Natalie Portman, no less...YEAH, BABY!
Posted 18 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
I love this.
Posted 18 years ago by moonbat    [ Reply ]
I love the way horns have been integrated into the music. Just as little accents here and there. Very stylish!
Posted 18 years ago by Steven_G    [ Reply ]
Krispian wrote:
Very likeable. The Shins are a really great new band. Don't know if I'd buy it though...
You should, every song on their album is great. Chuts to Narrow was in my stereo for weeks before I took it out. I just wish they would put out another.
Posted 18 years ago by milehighYinzer    [ Reply ]
god, these guys just have it all figured out.
Posted 18 years ago by govna    [ Reply ]
Very likeable. The Shins are a really great new band. Don't know if I'd buy it though...
Posted 18 years ago by Krispian    [ Reply ]
For some reason it does nothing for me - I can totally understand why most like it - the Shins are talented...I just can't get into this song.
Posted 18 years ago by extragoya    [ Reply ]
'tis my favorite Shins song... thank ye RP. it just gives me a feeling of relaxation and contentment... if that makes any sense.
Posted 18 years ago by DrGonzo    [ Reply ]
oh, i thought this was Belle and Sebastian
Posted 18 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
very nice air to this one...
Posted 18 years ago by siloco    [ Reply ]
What would life be without these guys? Oh, inverted world! It's been often-times so much the better since I have discovered them -- thanks to RP! They craft such artfully simple and gorgeously rich tunes around such transcendental Spirit of Spinoza meets Ghost of Melville lyrics... They're such a kick!
Posted 18 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
hippiechick wrote:
Are they from California? Because they sound very California
They're from Albuquerque originally, now from Portland (more or less).
Posted 18 years ago by Vogelfrei    [ Reply ]
Wallyman wrote:
I hear shades of the Zombies (Time of the Season) in the echo of the lead vocal. This song grows on me more every time it comes around. Solid 9 in my book.
Are they from California? Because they sound very California
Posted 18 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]