Timing never really being my strong suit, I discovered the Shins when they released Turn on Me from Wincing the night away in 2007. It seemed almost cruel to me that I discovered them 3 weeks after they had left the country after playing that years Splendour in the Grass. They never came back, and until now didn't release any more albums.
The Shins have just released their 4th full length studio album after 5 years on hiatus after Wincing the Night Away, in which front man and poetic genius James Mercer teamed up with Danger Mouse to form Broken Bells, a more dance infused upbeat version of the Shins, not quite as good as the original but still very good. This latest release still has a lot of the stuff I fell in love with by The Shins, but it's just a little bit daggy which for some reason I like. The beats in Bait and Switch are a bit retro, maybe 50's- 60's with a bit of a go-go vibe to them, daggy, a little psychedelic but so infectious! But there is nothing daggy about the brilliant start to the album with The Rifle's Spiral, a kicking, pop rock song that stands out and get you to take notice right from the beginning.
Sounds like this time round Mercer appears to be in a slightly better place than the last album, the songs are definitely more upbeat and he's often referring lyrically to helping friends out of dark places he's familiar with, especially in track It's Only Life with lyrics like "We all spend a little while going down the rabbit hole. The things they taught you, they're lining up to haunt you. You've got your back against the wall." While this isn't the best example of his amazing poetry, I find James Mercer to have such strong lyrical imagery portrayed in his music, it evokes such visual images, you don't need to use your imagination, because Mercer has done all the imagining for you, and is able to express it in such a way that he forms pictures in my mind that are so clear and concise.
Being so excited to see them in Southern California's Coachella in just over 3 weeks, I might pee myself. But when thinking about the tragedy of a possible timetable clash, I've decided no one (to me) can top them so no matter what else is playing I'll be there to sing along to my aging, slightly nerdy, lyrical idol. However I have also found out that they will most likely be in Australia in late June (no doubt playing Splendour in the Grass again) and hopefully they will tour the major cities and do a few side shows. If they do, I'm there!
Maybe I'm not the right person to review this album, The Shins (being my all time favourite band) to me, they can do no wrong. On the last 3 albums, Oh Inverted World, Chutes Too Narrow and Wincing The Night Away, I honestly cant say there is a song they have made that I don't like. To be perfectly honest, maybe this album could have been a full length studio album of fart noises and I would have proclaimed it to be a work of genius. All I know is, I really enjoyed Port of Morrows and the journey it takes it listener on. Do yourselves a favour and check it out, hopefully you'll enjoy it too.
