The Shins
Port of Morrow
Columbia
2012
Rating: 6 water beds out of 10
This new record by The Shins mostly just makes me miss the old Shins. That first record, "Oh, Inverted World," felt so intimate - like it was written just for you. It was the "handmade blanket knitted by grandma" of music. I actually just listened to that first record a few weeks ago, and it still feels as warm and comfortable as ever.
Additionally - and I know this isn't exactly a new phenomenon in music - but does anyone even really consider this to be the same band? The Shins now equal James Mercer and hired hands as near as I can tell. Sure, Mercer's voice is one the most important parts of the Shins' signature sound, but it's not everything - and you can tell with this record.
All that said, this is still a listenable pop album. It feels a little over-produced and shiny like it's stretching it's arms attempting to embrace mainstream radio, but I think the bones are good. You could certainly do worse. Mostly, though, it just makes me want to go listen to the Shins early material.
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