Caring Is Creepy

"Caring Is Creepy" is the first song on The Shins' debut album Oh, Inverted World, released on June 19, 2001. It is notable because it is their first song as a signed band on the label Sub-Pop, serving as a first impression to a broader audience of listeners.

The song appeared in the 2004 film Garden State, and on the soundtrack to the film.

Composition

The track is 3:20 in length. It was written by frontman James Mercer. It is characterized by echo-heavy vocals and unclear cryptic lyrics.^[1] It uses several different instruments including electronic ones.

Release & reception

The track was never released as a single by the band so its official release date is June 19, 2001, the release of the album as a whole. It was given mixed reviews by music blogs such as Pitchfork.^[1]

In media

Garden State (Film and Soundtrack)

The track was included on the soundtrack for the 2004 film Garden State along with another song by The Shins ("New Slang"). The soundtrack went on to win a Grammy award and helped set a new standard for music scores in indie films.^[2]

San Francisco Smuin Ballet, "Oh, Inverted World"

This song is also featured in the full length ballet "Oh, Inverted World", choreographed by Trey McIntyre and performed by the Smuin Ballet Company of San Francisco. The ballet is a collection of vignette style dances to eight songs from The Shins' debut album of the same name.^[3]

Live performances

This song was performed infrequently until their most recent tour in support of Port of Morrow .^[4] The first documented live performance was on November 14, 2003 at First Avenue in Minneapolis. The most recent documented performance was on October 13, 2012 at Austin City Limits.

References