Record Label: Sup Pop Records
Genre: Indie
Band Link: link
Buy on Amazon.com link

Just like everyone else in the world, I found out about the Shins from the movie Garden State. I knew who the band was before that; I just didn’t hear their music until then. Well thanks to Zach Braff and Natalie Portman, I’ve become a big fan of The Shins ever since. It’s been almost 4 years since they released their last album “Chutes Too Narrow”, and “Wincing the Night Away” has been on many people’s (including this reviewer) anticipated albums for awhile now. “Wincing the Night Away” may take time to get used to but when it’s all said and done, it’s probably the Shins’ strongest album to date.

The first track “Sleeping Lessons” starts off slow but eventually picks up towards the end. The tempo-beat in the background is really cool. It’s not ’til “Australia” where the album gets REALLY great. This song could be my favorite from the album and on any Shins album. You’ll hear it once, and then next day you’ll want to hear it again. Then you find yourself feeling incomplete if you haven’t heard “Australia” that day. At least, that’s what happened with me. I think my favorite part of that song has to be the banjo, and it just adds so much more to their music. From what I read, singer James Mercer learned to play the banjo and other instruments for this album. I think it has definitely paid off because it adds another spectrum to the band. The Shins toy around with a lot more psychedelic stuff this record; using synthesizers, hip hop beats and other weird junk in their songs.

Their single “Phantom Limb” was the first song I heard off this album and knew this CD was going to be good just from hearing that song. The single is very catchy and you’ll be humming along to the chorus “whoah oooh oooh whoa oooh oooh” in no time. “Sea Legs” is a very different Shins type of song because they experiment with some hip hop beats, and it actually sounds really good! One thing I noticed throughout this album, is how James Mercer’s singing style & voice is a cross between Simon & Garfunkel and the Kinks’ Ray Davies. Mercer and the rest of the band have always sounded like the Kinks and S&G, but maybe i’m just realizing this now. The Shins matured their sound quite a bit and it seems like they are trying to get out of that indie rock fad and trying to sound like something completely different from everyone else. I think that’s a good thing since there are so many different indie rock bands out there now. I’m still debating whether or not I think this album is the best Shins album, but regardless of what’s the best album; you’ll enjoy all these catchy pop-rock songs! The album gets better each time you listen to it!

Bottom Line: If you liked their previous albums, you’ll REALLY enjoy this!
Notable Tracks: Australia, Phantom Limb, Sea Legs, Turn On Me, Girl Sailor
Overall Rating: