The Shins are at it again this time sans Zach Braff’s machinations. The new album is decidedly soft and dreamy. It gives up on some of the whimsical stylings in Chutes Too Narrow and goes back to their homestead with moving but water thin streams of sound. There are certainly a few punctuations of accelerated beats per minute but blessedly few for it is not really their forte now is it. Inasmuch as it is currently a faux pas to remind anyone that Garden State I will make up for it by pointing you here no here oops one more time here. I think the value of the new album will have plenty of debate. I am eager to see the indie community delve into this one after the adulation heaped on Chutes. Will they show mercy? Or is it no holds barred in declaring the Shins kaput once and for all? I haven’t heard enough to say where I stand but based on a couple tracks it seems as worthy as the next sub pop release this year.

The single on this one may very well be “Australia” which is pretty damn good. However, at the very bottom of the album you will find A Comet Appears. This is classic Shins. Comments (0)