March 20, 2012
It had been five years since The Shins last album. This is not to say that frontman, and primary song writer,James Mercer, hadn’t been busy. In the time between Wincing the Night Away and Port of Morrow Mercer joined forces with Danger Mouse to create Broken Bells. And, while Broken Bells served as a worthy distraction, it did not quite emulate the type of profoundness that Mercer brought to the table with The Shins.
When I first heard that The Shins were going to be making another album I was nervous. The Shins are known for their fun, quirky, indie-pop songs written in the form of daydreamy adult prose. This is what I liked about The Shins. I could rely on this.
Upon first listen of Port of Morrow I could immediately feel the required five year maturation. It was clear that this was going to be a significant album.
The mood of not so subtle emotional psychedelia accompanies the most intelligent lyricism I have ever heard. Despite being one of indie musics most sought out bands, The Shins have remained true to their perfected melodies. Where Wincing the Night Away explored a slightly darker side to Mercer’s lyricism, Port of Morrow is expressed beautifully in his libretto. There is an obvious air whimsy. A spooky psychedelic trip.
The album starts off with ‘The Rifle’s Spiral’, an upbeat punch. With challenging lines like “you’re not invisible now/you just don’t exist” to claim ownership of an astute listeners attention, the album then turns to “Simple Song”. Port of Morrow’s clear choice of a first single is both sharp and diverse musically, all the while lyrically beautiful. The majority of the tracks do not stray from this style, though of altering from uptempo to low. The only black sheep of the album would seemingly be “Port of Morrow”, an acid rock croon. The song is not like the others on the album, but is just as inventive. The mysterious, flirtatious mood that it depicts is merely aid to Mercer’s intelligent child like dream words.
Port of Morrow, as an album, is stunning. It is apparent that James Mercer has finally come to admit, and accept that he is The Shins. And, that’s OK. It’s more than OK. I can take a five year hiatus if it means brilliant works like Port of Morrow are the result.
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