The Shins are known for their unique sound which can be described as indie rock combined with folk and pop melodies. The lead vocalist, James Mercer, is known for his distinctive high-pitched vocal tone and often sings in falsetto. If you're interested in learning how to sing like James Mercer, keep reading.

To begin with, it's important to identify your voice type. Singing Carrots has a great article on voice types which can help you determine your range and understand your voice. James Mercer has a wide range, so understanding your vocal range will be helpful in developing your singing voice.

One of the standout techniques James uses is falsetto. Singing Carrots has a pitch accuracy test which can help you with developing your falsetto, as it evaluates your pitch accuracy by asking you to sing along with simple melodies in your head voice.

Another important aspect of James Mercer's vocal technique is the way he enunciates his words. To help you with this, Singing Carrots has a blog post on articulation which will give you a better understanding of how to clearly pronounce words while singing.

If you want to learn a specific Shins song, a great place to start is with their hit "New Slang." This song showcases James Mercer's ability to sing in falsetto and express a wide range of emotions through his voice. Singing Carrots offers a song search function which can help you find songs that match your vocal range, difficulty level, and genre preference.

To improve your singing overall, you can take Singing Carrots' educational singing course which covers singing theory and practical tips to improve your singing. It's important to work on breathing techniques and warm-ups to avoid constrictions which can reduce your vocal range. You can find more information on these aspects of singing in Singing Carrots' articles on breath support and breathing basics.

Finally, don't forget about vocal health. Singing Carrots has a great article on vocal health which outlines healthy habits that will keep your voice in top form.

We hope this article has given you some insights into how to sing like James Mercer of The Shins. With practice, patience, and the resources provided by Singing Carrots, you'll be on your way to improving your singing abilities.