When You Land Here, It's Time to Return

Anyone who fell in love with James Mercer and The Shins and their debut album, <i>Oh, Inverted World</i>, has much to investigate on this 2014 reissue of Mercer’s 1997 release as a member of the Albuquerque, N.M.–based band Flake Music. Remixed and remastered, this album features Mercer, guitarist Neal Langford, drummer Jesse Sandoval, and bassists Phil Higgs and Marty Crandall. The group were highly collaborative, with each member contributing to the songwriting—which is, not surprisingly, extremely poppy. Joyous melodies drive songs like “On the Playground, In the Wind” and “The Shins,” while “Faded Polaroids” sports a moodier vibe.