I had been anticipating this CD by The Shins ever since I first heard the marvelous, Chutes Too Narrow (their previous release) over two years ago. In fact, about a month ago, I reserved a copy at my local record store, just be be assured I could get it on the day it was released. I’m sure it’s difficult for a band to follow such a well received disc as Chutes, but after listening to Wincing The Night Away for over a week now, I think they have made a very worthy follow up.
The Shins have a talent for creating beautiful melodies with hooks that stick with you long after you’ve heard the song. While Chutes was a much brighter record emotionally, Wincing The Night Away has a bit of a darker edge to it. Indeed, the title alludes to a bout of insomnia the band’s frontman (James Mercer) had.
“Phantom Limb,” is one of my favorite tracks on the disc, an excellent illustration of The Shins musical craft.
“Split Needles” is another noteworthy track. A perfect marriage of syncopated rhythms, outstanding melody, and guitar counterpoints. It also includes typical Shins lyrics (which are a bit on the surrealistic side).
I’ve done myself an impossible crime,
Had to paint myself a hole,
And fall inside,
If it’s far enough in sight and rhyme,
I get to wear another dress,
And count in time.Oh, won’t you do me the favor, man,
Of a giving mind,
A polymorphing opinion here,
And your vague outline.
This disc is definitely a “grower” — your fondness for the album grows every time you hear it. It even grows in my subconscious. This morning when I awoke, my brain was hearing “Australia” one of the brighter tracks on the disc.
In the latest issue of Rolling Stone, James Mercer says of the current music scene, and the reasons The Shins are popular: “I’m craving authenticity. I think everyone is. You know, there is something real out there you can buy, but you just have to scratch the surface to find it. I think people are sick of fakeness.”
On Wincing The Night Away, The Shins have definitely succeeded in creating authentic music.