The Shins

Wincing the Night Away
$15.98
I must admit, I had heard of The Shins some time ago but never really "heard" anything by them. I was actually looking at the Fleet Foxes album on Amazon and noticed Wincing the Night Away in the section listing what other items customers have bought. I listened to the samples online, and I liked what I heard so I got this album also. The samples do not give the album justice as most of the songs are a crafted piece of work that should be listened to in their entirety.

I was really amazed with how well the songs were constructed and the depth of the lyrics. I did read some other reviews by long time Shins fans that were disappointed with this album. I did borrow the previous albums from a friend of mine to compare. It is quite obvious in my own opinion that Wincing the Night Away is a step in the growth of their music. I found the album to be much fuller and richer in sound compared to the earlier albums. The songs are a great collection of work by The Shins.

I rate this album as one of my personal favorites. Sleeping Lessons is a real surprise to have as opening track, not in a bad way; it builds and leads into something wonderful. Simply put...it is one album you just want to play over and over. It definitely brings forth the question as to what will come out next by these guys as their progression path seems to get better and better.

WINCING THE NIGHT AWAY
$14.98
I must admit, I had heard of The Shins some time ago but never really "heard" anything by them. I was actually looking at the Fleet Foxes album on Amazon and noticed Wincing the Night Away in the section listing what other items customers have bought. I listened to the samples online, and I liked what I heard so I got this album also. The samples do not give the album justice as most of the songs are a crafted piece of work that should be listened to in their entirety.

I was really amazed with how well the songs were constructed and the depth of the lyrics. I did read some other reviews by long time Shins fans that were disappointed with this album. I did borrow the previous albums from a friend of mine to compare. It is quite obvious in my own opinion that Wincing the Night Away is a step in the growth of their music. I found the album to be much fuller and richer in sound compared to the earlier albums. The songs are a great collection of work by The Shins.

I rate this album as one of my personal favorites. Sleeping Lessons is a real surprise to have as opening track, not in a bad way; it builds and leads into something wonderful. Simply put...it is one album you just want to play over and over. It definitely brings forth the question as to what will come out next by these guys as their progression path seems to get better and better.

Phantom Limb
$3.98
Yes, I feel compelled to say it. Call it hyperbole but this song is brilliant. To say they merely tried to emulate the sound of The Jesus and Mary Chain with this song is the equivalent of Kurt Cobain saying 'I just wanted to write a Pixies song!' of "Smells Like Teen Spirit"; they perfected the style. Listen to "Darklands" and you'll hear something of a similarity.

OH, INVERTED WORLD [Vinyl]
$9.98
3 1/2

Though keeping up with an impeccable lead-off track proves impossible, this was probably one of the more noticeable indie pop-rock debuts in recent memory.