THE SHINS

Wincing the Night Away

2007-02-05

Spooky sounds abound on this 3rd album from Albuquerque NM, now Portland OR based band the Shins. Maybe a relocation shifted their focus. Maybe the followed the Decemberists in that they have put out their most radio friendly album to date. Wincing The Night Away tends to lean more to The Shins named influence Echo and The Bunnymen but the tracks are somehow subdued among all the poetic lyrics. Sometimes these songs work.quite well like on the 2nd track Australia. Track 5 Sea Legs is almost a throwback to late nineties Blur and more recent offerings from Beck. This album is pop friendly, and is less intense as their last album Chutes Too Narrow. Track 8 reminds me of the first Greg Sulli solo album. The Shins are definetely reaching. This is a nice record, but the ferocious retro, but somehow still new sounding sound is a little less present. Don't get me wrong, this is still a kick in the pants. Standout tracks: Track 2, Track 5, Track 7, Track 8