Broken Bells, “Into the Blue.” It’s been quite a while since Broken Bells released an album. The output of the musical partnership of James Mercer (The Shins) and Brian Burton (Danger Mouse) has been erratic since 2014’s After the Disco. There have been some singles in the intervening years, notably…

Photo: Chloe Catajan BERKELEY — Who knew that when Natalie Portman swore The Shins would “change your life,” her words would still ring true years later? The Shins not only became the anthem for 2004 film Garden State, but also the anthem for indie lovers. The Albuquerque band performed in…

If the title Heartworms, were a play on the term “earworms,” it would be an exceedingly apt descriptor for the Shins‘ fifth record, because its 11 catchy and emotionally relatable tracks seem bound to lodge themselves firmly in both the ears and hearts of listeners. Heartworms the Shins March…