While it lacks some of the poignant lows of previous albums, the soaring highs carry the album far above many previous ventures of Mercer's. Yes, yes, and yes. That would be reasonable, but there are a number of songs which make me want to turn it off immediately. The pair's [James Mercer and Greg Kurstin's] proclivity for spacious, languid moods helps Port of Morrow move smoothly from mod throwback shimmies (like the spindly guitar jam "Bait and Switch'') to the hypnotic, near trip-hop of the title track. "Hey Chet, great slides, have you heard of the Shins, they're this new band..."). Port of Morrow has more of a studio-sculpture auteurist vibe than ever. That would be reasonable, but there are a number of songs which make me want to turn it off immediately. Is "Port of Morrow" a bit slicker, more produced, and lyrically transparent than former "all killer no filler" efforts? A formidable piece of work, repositioning Mercer away from his Pacific Northwest indie rock peer group. "Wincing..." still gets. And that is their loss. Come on guys, of course the music was gonna change! After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. Notable Video Game Releases: New and Upcoming, Music title data, credits, and images provided by, Movie title data, credits, and poster art provided by, Well, this is just a simple song James Mercer's label Aural Apothecary releases The Shins' first studio album in five years. The reviewer meant it as a good thing, and yeah I'd fall into that category but that statement kind of sums up how it sounds to me. This was an interesting album, but this is not "The Shins." The Shins' first studio album in five years, following the release of 2007's Wincing the Night Away, followed major lineup changes in the group: founding members Dave Hernandez (bass, guitar), Marty Crandall (keyboards) and Jesse Sandoval(drums) departed in 2009. Obviously, it isn't supposed to be. The best songs bear the mark of an auteur weirding out, by himself. I told you about all those fears I hear them from time to time on an alternative station I tune into, but a lot of people have no idea who they are. Unfortunately they are a bit deluded. Clumsy it might be, familiar it might be; redundant it sure isn't quite yet. I'm not a follower of The Shins development or "de-volvement", since this new lineup is not the same band, except for Mercer, that played on earlier Shins albums. I loved the sound they created on that cd. The results are hit or miss going forward. Yes, yes, and yes. Standout songs for me were 'The Rifle's. These are songs to fall in love to, to grow along with, and to share with friends in need of a life-change. It's an interesting listen but doesn't leave a strong impression. 'Port Of Morrow' is a glorious and confident return, even if it lacks a little darkness at times. Prime members enjoy FREE Delivery and exclusive access to music, movies, TV shows, original audio series, and Kindle books. With "Port of Morrow," James Mercer lands himself squarely in the former camp, which should be a relief to Shins' fans everywhere. the first use of the term "ducks in a row" outside of a business meeting full of chubby guys in chinos, or that stuff about dishwater disguised as lemonade) but there are also some musical moments where they seem to be striving for some kind of MOR-type appeal (maybe those chubby guys at the meeting? It feels and sounds like a new band, and I love it. But it also has some of the worst songs The Shins have ever produced. There is a time for all artists when youth and restlessness inevitably fade; greatness lingers for those who stay focused on the craft and allow their art to change with them, while lesser performers continue to rely on a style they can no longer pull off convincingly. It seems that if any band evolves or changes or is honest or avoids convoluted psychobabble they have failed to provide them the entertainment they are entitled to. James Mercer is the only surviving member of the band which isn't a bad thing at all. the first use of the term "ducks in a row" outside of a business meeting full of chubby guys in chinos, or that stuff about dishwater disguised as lemonade) but there are also some musical moments where they seem to be striving for some kind of MOR-type appeal (maybe those chubby guys at the meeting?