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album: Wincing the Night Away
artist: The Shins
label: Sub Pop / 2007
score: 80
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by Tim Mathiesen
The Shins have continued to mature through each album. The last album, Chutes Too Narrow, along with the mentioning of their song, "New Slang" in the Zach Braff film, "Garden State," shot the Shins into indie music stardom. Their latest effort, Wincing the Night Away, debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200, proving that independent music is growing in influence and recognition.
Where Chutes Too Narrow is quick and to the point, Wincing The Night Away takes a breath and enjoys the view along the way, so it may take a few spins to appreciate the slower pace of each song and the album as a whole. Four years have passed since The Shins last album and it shows in their careful attention to quality. James Mercer and the band took their time and created a very patient album. The songs are more laid back, and though the energy is still there, it doesn't feel as rushed. After the last track on Chutes Too Narrow or their debut album, Inverted World, the listener is left feeling rushed through an amazing scenery that they would have loved to slow down and enjoy. After Wincing The Night Away, the listener is left much more satisfied.
Give this album a chance before you label it as boring. There are more layers here than you might notice at first glance.
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