Music Review: The Shins - Wincing The Night Away
Little by little, the radio and label powers-that-be are realizing that quality music sells over time. Prime examples of this sudden epiphany are bands like The Shins- that have been lingering, sometimes keeping day jobs to play music and put out records for years. It's a bit odd now that the big wigs (and the world) are finally noticing.
In the past two weeks Wincing the Night Away has been at the top and hovering in the Billboard Charts. Their vaulting single "Phantom Limb" is the most unique sounding four and a half minutes on Alternative Rock Stations. It came on local 107.7 The End while I was driving the other day and it sounded eerily and beautifully distant juxtaposed right after a run-of-the-mill Foo Fighters tune.
Lead-off number "Sleeping Lessons" has songwriter James Mercer singing "put yourself in my new shoes" and The Shins' new journey on Wincing the Night Away makes sense. From the dry, simple Chutes Too Narrow they needed this glaze to keep themselves from seeming too much like a one-trick pony.
As happy as I am for their success, this is unfortunately not The Shins' best work. Being merchants of gloriously simple melodies, the very same production value that makes their singles so accessible to the pop world on Wincing, also makes their more intimate work less charming. The soft ballads that were so wonderfully naked on previous LPs are substituted with boring, barely noticeable synth and acoustic guitar drones.
The highlights on Wincing the Night Away are the mid-tempo and upbeat songs. "Turn On Me" has a gorgeous Morrissey-influenced vocal hook and the bangle of the guitars really compliment The Shins' latest directional choice. I keep thinking that Mercer's voice reminds me of what might happen if Weezer's Rivers Cuomo ever grew up (see "Girl Sailor"). Still, as flawed as this record may be, I can't think of a better way for a deserving band to get their due.
