413) The Shins - Wincing the Night Away

The Shins have been around since 1996, that’s thirty years, wow, they managed four albums in their first sixteen years but we have only had one record in the last fourteen back in 2017 and lead singer and songwriter James Mercer is the sole original member of the band, he also records with Danger Mouse In Broken Bells having released three records which may impact on the output of The Shins.

A song from their debut album Oh Inverted World called New Slang was used in the film Garden State propelling the band to commercial success and whilst touring Mercer starting writing songs for their third album, Wincing the Night Away.

The album made it to number two in America and broke the band in the top twenty here, this was big stuff, but is it any good?

If you are looking for big catchy choruses then this is not for you and Mercer’s lyrics can be bizarre, but this is one of those records that slowly delivers and reveals its delights over multiple plays.

Sleeping Lessons bubbles away for two minutes just the synth and James Mercer’s vocal all spacey and introductory before the band decide they would like to get in on the fun.

There are three pure pop moments on Wincing, Australia with added banjo bounces along over a lovely tune but the lyrics are not the happiest and Phantom Limb with a pounding bass from start to end is an example of perfect pop and Turn on Me has a lovely recurring guitar riff throughout and then sets off on a rugged solo before Mercer and backing vocalist Anita Robinson bring us back.

Sea Legs the band find more space, and the odd, strange synth thrown in for good measure and I still cannot decide what the hell is going on in the background on Red Rabbits, but I can tell you a violin and steel guitar work well together at one point.

Girl Sailor is a superior guitar led song, strong vocals from Mercer and A Comet Appears opens with birds chirping and just guitar and bass but a French horn adds an elegant touch to a sweet low-key song and end to the record.

There’s a saying if at first you don’t succeed, try again. Remember, keep trying and each listen will reveal more delights.

7.5/10

GIVE IT A STREAM: Sea Legs