The Shins are currently one of the biggest indie bands in the world, which is kinda weird for me, because I still think of them as one of the biggest bands on the teensy, insular pop scene of my former adopted hometown of Albuquerque. This single, produced by Jon Little of the Ant Farmers (Burque's other big band of the mid-'90s), doesn't quite capture the My Bloody Valentine-like sweep of this powerful song, the highlight of Flake's live sets. Yet on its own merits, it's still a compelling early glimpse of James Mercer's idiosyncratic but appealing pop craft. Although a remake of "Deluca" is on Flake Music's sole CD, When You Land Here It's Time To Return, it lacks the rough-hewn charm of the original; although it's likely that Flake's several vinyl-only releases will someday be gathered, it hasn't happened yet. The other side of this single is an equally great little bit of noise by Henry's Dress, another Albuquerque band, led by Amy Linton of Go Sailor and the Aislers Set.

-Stewart Mason