Users comments

holly.loves.the.shins

Rating: 9.0

The Shins' new album is good, but I keep my mind firmly planted in my opinion that nothing that they feed to us could ever, ever beat the oh-so-very-wonderful album, Chutes Too Narrow. But they've grown darker, which will probably help them in the long run, as most of their fans are aging and growing darker also. Plus, the change from pseudo-happy songs was nice. After a while, they all seem to be the same song, and they practically are when you're playing them on guitar. Yay for The Shins, yay for Wincing The Night Away, yay for wonderful music, and yay for ears..(without ears, we would not even know know of those things.) Have a wonderful Shins-filled day.

Kallie	Rating: 9.0
Obviously I love the old Shins we knew in Garden State, but this album is hardly a disappointment. I think it shows how great their style is, and that they ARE evolving. All I can say is: listen to tracks 1, 5, 7-9. Although this album is darker than their previous music, it also adds a certain appeal to it. I could listen to "Sealegs" forever and ever.

Chris	Rating: 8.0
As a moderate fan of the Shins' albums "Oh, Inverted World" and "Chutes Too Narrow", I really appreciate the new direction they have chosen to head in. Too many bands these days get caught up in moderate success and sell out for a more main stream sound. The Shins continue to grow and evolve which is always nice to see from the Indie scene. I agree with Kallie's choice of songs to listen to.

Edwin Seattle

Rating: 10.0

The indelible fact of the matter is that the new album is not Chutes Too Narrow and i personally feel that the maturity of sound expressed in a lot of their new songs simply shows that they are artistically supple and not that they are in any way losing their steam. It is clear that the shins put the art before all else and defy mainstream expectations allowing them to remain youthful rebels of an indie rock scene with diminishing creative influences, a title which will allow them to prosper for generations to come. Ill be seeing you guys tonight at the paramount in Seattle, cheers to the shins!

Alexander Coe

Rating: 10.0

I think this record is a great work of art. It has intention. It has purpose. What else can music be? Perhaps there are certain patterns that for some reason are appealing to the human mind, but lets leave those ill created things to pop artists like Britney Spears. The Shins, or Mercer in particular, write thoughtful lyrics and put them to inventive sounds that mirror the same emotions or ideas. Some music may sound strange and awful to you. Some music may sound unoriginal and dull. Perhaps is it supposed to.

Nate Williams	Rating: 8.0
The new one is not nearly as good as Chutes to Narrow, I loved that album, the new one has good taste and bands do need to change a bit, but they changed just a little to much for me.

Brit	Rating: 8.0
Can anyone tell me what the song Pam Berry is about? I've been rackin my brain but i can not understand the meaning behind it or what these lines together even mean.

BRZA	Rating: 9.0
Not as good as the last two, but still a quality listen. Have to say though, in contrast to some posters here, I don't particularly care for "Sealegs"...just an opinion...and one that's still developing at last. Had to listen to Chutes Too Narrow for a few months to full appreciate it.

Bobbie Meyers	Rating: 10.0
another awsome record, not as good as the first or second. Yet they delivered more music and that is all that matters. They're making music to live life by and I couldn't be happier.

bryan from canada	Rating: 9.0
top 5 favorite albums of the year for sure. phantom limb is an amazing song. it is not fair to compare this album to either of their preceding. yes, it is a different sound. but chutes too narrow was quite different from inverted world. each album is crammed with individuality. i dont believe it is possible to say any one is the best. anyways, this shit rocks. the shins kick ass

Brandon Guerrero NYC

Rating: 10.0

I just want to echo what Alexander Coe and Bryan from canada said; you guys are absolutely correct. Each album is thoughtfully designed and composed, and totally individual. Comparing them is apples oranges and pears. On a side note, I saw them at Madison Sq G and DAMN they were polished. I believe James is in his mid-thirties and everyone else is almost newish to the industry, but they were hardcore pro's. James' pitch quality/vocals were crazy on and stayed true to the essence of each song, including the rapid key changes, and they obviously were conditioned for the tour (i.e., no Fat-Axl moves). They brought the place down. We are lucky to have them. THE SHINS THE SHIT

Lily	Rating: 10.0
Wincing the Night Away is possibly one of the best CDs I own. It is different from their previous albums, but I love the change.

Tom in Las Vegas	Rating: 10.0
I'm a newbie to the Shins camp and having not heard the old stuff can't make a valid comparison. But I am sold on Wincing the Night Away. Have not taken it out of my cd player since I got it. Phantom Limb just knocks me out. I am a 60 year old lover of music and know good stuff when I hear it! This is good stuff!!