Wincing the Night Away
THE SHINS
RATING: 3 SOUND LEVELS
The indie film hit “Garden State” brought the Shins above ground. The Portland, Ore., quartet’s sometimes-uneven third album, due Tuesday, will keep them there. Bearing the mark of the Beach Boys and the Smiths, the Shins make deceptively simple-sounding pop that lingers. In these 11 tracks, split between catchy indie pop and more experimental efforts, singer/guitarist James Mercer’s infectious, indelible melodic style is elemental.
Fans of the Arcade Fire and Modest Mouse will appreciate “Wincing the Night Away’s” instant standouts: the creepy, Morrissey-tinged “Sea Legs” and the epic rocker “Phantom Limb.” Elsewhere, treated piano, psychedelic strings and fractured synth samples cloak the more mellow items “Red Rabbits” and “Spilt Needles,” resulting in much to savor. Pun alert: These Shins have legs to stand on.
