The clock counting down to the release of the new Shins album is tick-ticking louder by the day, and to whet your appetite further, Mr Mercer and co. have finally unveiled the video for 'Simple Song'.

This desk-jiggle-friendly track is the the lead single from Port of Morrow which is released on the 19th of March two thousand and twelve. The video was directed by LA-based duo DANIELS.

...it might be just me but does 'Simple Song' remind anyone else of 'Time After Time'? Pasted it below so you can contrast and compare... it's probably just the arrangement or the chord progression or something....

The Shins play two shows at London’s Forum on 22nd and 23rd March. The gigs – both of which are now sold out – will see James Mercer leading a line-up of Yuuki Matthews (bass), Jessica Dobson (guitar), Richard Swift (keyboards) and Joe Plummer (drums). The Shins' current confirmed international live dates are as follows:

March 2012
Thu, 22nd – HMV Forum – London, UK (sold out)
Fri, 23rd – HMV Forum – London, UK (sold out)
Sun, 25th – Melkweg – Holland, Amsterdam (sold out)
Mon, 26th – Bataclan – Paris, France
Wed, 28th – Kesselhaus – Berlin, Germany (sold out)
Fri, 30th – Berns Salonger – Stockholm, Sweden (sold out)

April 2012
Fri, 13th – Cosmopolitan – Las Vegas, USA
Sat, 14th – Coachella festival – Indio, USA
Tue, 17th – Blasisdell Concert Hall – Honolulu, USA
Wed, 18th – Castle Theatre, Maui Arts Center – Maui, USA
Sat, 21st – Coachella festival - Indio, USA
Sun, 22nd – Civic Auditorium – Snata Cruz, USA
Mon, 23rd – Robert Mondavi Centre – Davis, USA
Wed, 25th – Grand Sierra Resort & Casino – Reno, USA

May 2012
Fri, 25th – Les Schwab Amphitheatre – Bend, USA
Sat, 26th – Sasquatch festival – George, USA
Mon, 28th – Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre – Salt Lake City, USA
Tue, 29th – Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, USA
Thu, 31st – Harrah’s - Council Bluffs, USA

June 2012
Fri, 1st – The Brick – Minneapolis, USA
Mon, 4th – The Pageant – St Louis, USA
Tue, 5th – LC Indoor Pavillion – Columbus, USA
Wed, 6th – The Fillmore – Detroit, USA
Fri, 8th – Masonic Auditorium – Cleveland, USA
Sat, 9th - Iroquois Amphitheatre – Louisville, USA
Sun, 10th – Bonnaroo festival – Manchester, USA

Coming soon... DiS' interview with James Mercer (which includes good news for anyone awaiting a second Broken Bells album!) plus James' thoughts on that Cyndi Lauper comparison.