New Shins! I wasn't so into Wincing the Night away, but they still seem like a band worth keeping an eye on forever based on Oh Inverted World alone.
The basic Shins formula remains largely unchanged. James Mercer's voice soars above everything, while the music churns in wait of well-timed burstings-open, while disciplined dollops of fuzzy wash and pretty seams wind around the chords.
Is there anything new here? Sure, as plenty of early press has pointed out, Mercer obviously learned a thing or two from his Danger Mouse collaborations on Broken Bells; similar sharp beats, electronic flourishes, and atmospheric gestures abound. The sentiment's also grown deeper and darker and more heartfelt: the album feels more cohesive than any since the band's debut.
Despite some sprightly moments, its an album united by a certain resignation. Frustrations and railings against social systems are brought to bear on songs like Bait and Switch and the uncharacteristically-overtly-political No Way Down, a standout track that coruscates with starfall arpeggios. It reeks a bit of reach for acceptance, of careful construction and engineering, but hey that's kind of the stock in trade of party line indie rock. Like most of the songs on here, interesting details lurk in the crannies, rewarding close listening, and in an age of excess, I appreciate the tight running time*.
Despite the evolutions, nothing here rings really new (except for the wonderfully steely Dan Fall of '82 and the exploding balladrey of 40 Mark Strasse). Worse some of the best moments are weighed down by a blatant summoning the band's earlier hooks: Simple Song cops half of Gone For Good's moves, For a Fool tips its high mightily to New Slang's finest turns, and the overall feel is of a retread.
It's an eternal dilemma. How do you judge an album that would be a brilliant debut, but that inches only incrementally past the paths the band's previous releases beat? I enjoyed listening to this, sure, I've found no need to put it on for repeated listens. These songs, or ones not unlike them, are already scratched into my soul, so what do I need the album for? For those less thoroughly raised on Oh Inverted World, you'll find plenty to enjoy here as an expanding of your Shins appreciation, but I think I was at capacity two albums ago 3/5
You might like this if: you like catchy, beautiful indie rock, even if it doesn't take any big chances
* that sounds backhanded, but I really do appreciate this. As someone who listens to albums straight through almost exclusively, more songs aren't always a good thing if they screw up the pacing of the overall listen
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