The Shins - Wincing the Night Away

Recorded in singer/guitarist James Mercer's basement studio, Phil Ek's Seattle digs and in Oregon City with veteran engineer Joe Chiccarelli (Beck, U2), Wincing the Night Away is The Shins' third full-length album. It's also the sound of a band growing up and out. Mercer's infectious, indelible melodic style is still at the core, and unfaltering. But anything can happen around it – and in this case, it does. While the vocals channel the spirit of Morrissey, "Sea Legs" pairs a loping hip-hop beat with lush melody and searing guitars. Elsewhere the band toys with tweaked-out, liquid piano steeped in kaleidoscopic strings ("Red Rabbit"); fractured synth samples ("Split Needles"); gauzy keyboards cloaking thunderous anthems ("Sleeping Lessons"); and, taking cues from early Jesus and Mary Chain albums, sweeping, fuzz-toned epics ("Phantom Limb").

1. Sleeping Lessons

2. Australia

3. Pam Berry

4. Phantom Limb

5. Sea Legs

6. Red Rabbits

7. Turn On Me

8. Black Wave

9. Spilt Needles

10. Girl Sailor

11. A Comet Appears

Customer Reviews (5.00 Stars) 3 person(s) rated this product.

Audiophile in disguise posted on 11/22/2023 5 Stars This is one of my best sounding records. I have plenty of high end re-releases and first pressings of some great sounding records, and this one holds it’s own against any of them. Side 2 is especially nice.

Great Album- refreshing posted on 08/15/2011 5 Stars Awesome album- this is one of the best indie bands out right now- I can't stop listening to it. Nice pressing.

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