JAMES MERCER I LOVE YOUR WORK.

Before I exalt the worthiness of this album to the highest degree, let‰’s quickly clarify: This isn‰’t new. Released in 1997, When You Land Here, It‰’s Time to Return is the holy grail of Flake Music, James Mercer‰’s (pre-Shins) creation, and the album was recently taken out the vault again and remastered for le vinyl. Thank you baby Jesus god almighty creator of Heaven and Earth.

I like to think that this album would be the soundtrack on Garden State‰’s alter-ego: Graveyard City. Natalie Portman would secretly be a zombie, and instead of forcing Zach Braff to listen to The Shins during the hospital scene, she would instead show him Flake Music and proceed to eat his brains. I honestly cannot think of anything I rather watch more at this point.

But on a more serious note, Flake Music, in their short time of existence, continuously released singles until the songs amalgamated into When You Land Here, which is why, I would argue, the album is so damn good. Singles are always the best. Call me mainstream! Call me a poser! I don‰’t care—every song on When You Land Here, It‰’s Time to Return has the potential, the lively passion of well-crafted, thoughtful single. Each song has a time and place. A purpose. “Blast Valve‰” reminds me of hurricane evacuation. “Roziere‰” reminds me of being a God-freak in eighth grade (rough times, I know). The second hidden track brings to mind the first cigarette I ever smoked.

And I guess none of that is really possible. I wasn‰’t actually listening to those songs during those time periods. But if anything, that just speaks highly of Flake Music‰’s emotional undertones. Well done. Well done indeed.

RIYL: The Shins, Broken Bells, Dr. Dog

Recommended Tracks: 2, 3, 7, 10