The Shins new album, Port Of Morrow, is out to purchase. I think it was released today. It might be next week? Either way, ive heard it and will therefor offer my opinion on it...
I may or may not of mentioned in an earlier post that im quite fond of The Shins.
They were the first of there breed - soundtrack friendly gay folk rock - which has inspired the likes of The Fleet Foxes and other softys.
So fair doos.
But its been 5 years since the Shins released an album. Thats a long time to be out of the game.
A long long time.....
5 years. The Stone Roses waited little over 5 years to release there second album and it bombed. Dr Dre has waited over a decade to release his 3rd album, and its already bombed.
They are the only 2 examples I can think of at the minute, but what im gettin at is that the longer you leave something the chances are you have a longer period of time to fuck it up.
And thats what The Shins have done.
The whole album sounds clean, safe, poppy and just a bit crap.
There are some nice little melodies knocking around , which you expect from this band, but they lack the slight edge that was a permanent fixture on past releases.
On there first 3 long players you got the feeling of excitement and adventure, and you were happy to be taken along for the ride. On Port Of Morrow you are bored of the journey after 3 or 4 songs.
The reason for this is unclear but I would suggest the departure of founding band members and using a producer whose best work has come in the form of Lily Allens "The Fear".
And maybe the songs just arent there? Even if all the slick production is stripped away, im not sure that this collection of tunes stands up on its own when put side by side next to there earlier work.
Its an album you find yourself wanting to like but ultimately giving up on it because when you listen to the Shins, it shouldnt be hard work. It should be effortless, easy and just, i dunno, "nice".
Port Of Morrow is like watching an episode of The US Office without Steve Carrell as the lead. Its still almost the same, there are some good moments that keep you watching, but you cant shake the nagging feeling that what your watching/listening to isnt as good as it once was.
I wouldnt say its a bad album, but its far from being good and it will take something quite drastic to make me want to listen to it again anytime soon. It probably deserves another chance to tap into my head, but im not in a giving mood and so The Shins can kindly fuck off for the time being.
I have just read Pitchforks review of this album, and they seemed to really like it. But what struck m about the review was the opening paragraph that listed several major events that have happened in the last 5 years. This particular line was interesting, "Pop music headed out to the club, mainstream hip-hop more or less went bust..."
I would of agreed with them had I not just listened to this, Nas' new tune. Enjoy.
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