Artist: The ShinsAlbum: Wincing The Night AwayRecord Label: Sub PopGenre: Indie rockReleased: Jan. 23, 2007Web site: www.theshins.com
FOUR STARS
You gotta hear the Shins newest album.”It’ll change your life.”
Echoing the sentiments of what Sam from Garden State probably would have said, “Wincing The Night Away” is an indie rock epic and one of the top albums of the New Year. Well worth the wait of almost four years (their last album “Chutes Too Narrow” was released Oct. 21, 2003), the Portland-based band lures the listener with tales of insomnia to the new addition of experimental synthesizers and psychedelic sounds.
Perhaps the moodiest album to date, has unforgettable tracks such as “Australia,” “Phantom Limb,” “A Comet Appears” and personal favorite “Turn On Me”. It shows a sign of maturity for the group blending the stylings of their first releases and taking it to a whole other level. The sweet serenity of the majority of the tracks pack a definite punch.
“A Comet Appears,” which was dubbed New Slang-esque by many critics is not that, but still a good listen.
“Turn On Me” is a melodic, power pop song that is slowly becoming the song of year in my head.
Sam has it right! The Shins have changed my life!