Album: Port of Morrow
Released: 16th of March, 2012
Label: Columbia / Aural Apothecary
This is the first Shins album without keyboard player Marty Crandall or drummer Jesse Sandoval, both of whom were fired by frontman James Mercer after the band’s 2007 tour. Bassist Dave Hernandez seems to have got the flick too at some point during this album’s recording, so of the original members, it’s only James Mercer left, who to be fair, has always and will always be the essence of The Shins.
I’ve read a lot of reviews this week from die-hard Shins fans who were disappointed in this album, saying it just isn’t the Shins they know and love. Interestingly, the listeners coming to this album a-fresh seem to really love it.
Many of the reviews I have read about this album claim it is James Mercer’s most sophisticated work to date. Personally, I don’t find this album musically sophisticated at all. Sure, some of Mercer’s lyrics are poetic and thoughtful, something he has always been talented at, but musically, it provides little excitement and at times, is even embarrassingly banal.
None of this album is surprising. It is calming, relaxing and melodic, but very very predictable. It misses countless opportunities to really shine musically and instrumentally, leaving gaping holes in textures that could be filled with something unique. Instead, we have countless verses and courses that can only be likened to eating bland leftovers for days in a row.
The track Fall of ’82 does have a cute little brass solo section, which for me, provided some much needed interest and as the eight track, gives the album one last chance to deliver, which it unfortunately fails to do.
For me, this is not an album that looks forwards or paves any kind of interesting musical path. I understand Mercer’s intended musical shift towards the nostalgic in this album, and I’m all for vintage and being influenced by music of the past, but these nostalgic references need to say something new and exist in their own right.
I give it 2 out of 5 kisses.
Written by Amy Bastow for the Kiss My Arts Show on Joy 94.9 – All opinions are mine. Copyright 2012.