Review of The Shins Latest Album: Wincing the Night Away

Fans of indie rock super stars the Shins have been deeply divided on the band's best album since their sophomore effort, Chutes Too Narrow, was released in 2003. While many fans preferred the stripped down debut that was Oh, Inverted World (made famous by Zach Braff's film "Garden State"), just as many preferred the more evident production value in Chutes songs like "Saint Simon."

It's clear that with the release of Wincing the Night Away, their third album, the Shins have a great deal of pressure to create an album that lives up to the expectations of their devoted but anxious fan base.

Wincing the Night Away opens with "Sleeping Lessons," a futuristic lullaby that was at one point a candidate for the album's titular track. The song morphs into a more traditional rock track shortly before its ending as frontman James Mercer sings in his unmistakable, shrill voice, "Just put yourself in my new shoes/And see that I do what I do," perhaps to address the mounting pressures the surprise of fame has brought.

"Australia" and "Phantom Limb," the second track and first single (respectively), are the stand out pieces of the album. "Australia" features the most upbeat instrumental performances ever heard from the band with enough "la la's" and vocal harmonies to make fans feel like they're listening to a Mates of State album.

The sweeping melody of "Phantom Limb" makes for a great first single as Mercer croons cryptically about small town life during a winter freeze. Mercer is just as apt to sing low and sweet as he is to slip into a high pitched, urgent voice, and this song is proof of the prior.

Unfortunately the Shins have put their best material at the front end of Wincing, leaving the later half to feel a little barren. Placing an emphasis on beat over melody, "Sea Legs" is an interesting departure from the band's normal fare. Still the song drones on without ever going anywhere, leaving the listener feeling like it could have been so much more.