Zach Braff of Scrubs once asserted that the music of an obscure lo-fi Sub Pop group, the Shins, had the raw power to change one's life. Instantly, the legions of quirky indie rock fans found a new object of worship.
Unfortunately for those fans addicted to the deft lyrical stylings and pop hooks of James Mercer, they have had to wait three years for the release of The Shins' latest album, Wincing the Night Away. To add insult to injury, many of these devoted fans will be disappointed. Wincing the Night Away is undoubtedly the group's most experimental album to date. The melodies are slower, the synth has added a spacey atmospheric effect and there is an almost psychedelic air as in the track "Sleeping Lessons," that pervades the entire album. To further aggravate Shins fans, the fidelity is higher and the album has a more polished feel than the previous albums.
Yet the melodies are gorgeous and perfectly complemented by the atmospherics, and the lyrics remain as brilliant as before. Once you let go of your preconceptions, the only aspect of this album that can possibly be faulted is the lengthiness. Although impressive works of art, some of the songs, like "Sea Legs," could easily have been cut down by a minute or two.
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