Product Description

After the success of their 2004 sophomore release 'Chutes Too Narrow' - thanks in part to Zach Braff's cult movie Garden State - The Shins return with their third offering 'Wincing The Night Away'. Produced by Joe Chiccarelli (Beck, U2) the album sees James Mercer and Co. continue with the blissfulindie pop of their previous releases while padding out their sound with keyboards, sampled beats and strings. The lead single 'Phantom Limb' is also included.

Track Listing

1. Sleeping Lessons
2. Australia
3. Pam Barry
4. Phantom Limb
5. Sealegs
6. Red Rabbits
7. Turn On Me
8. Black Wave
9. Split Needles
10. Girl Sailor
11. Comet Appears

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2914 in Music
• Released on: 2007-01-29
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
The Shins had their work cut out for them with the release of the Wincing the Night Away. Their previous album, 2004's Chutes Too Narrow, topped many critics' Best of the Year lists, and was given a lucky dose of both marketing push and indie credibility by featuring heavily in the film Garden State. It's good to know that all that success hasn't gone to their heads. Sure, they've managed to bring in heavyweight producer Joe Chiccarelli, who's worked with both U2 and Beck, but they're still signed to Sub-Pop Records and, crucially, they're still writing great songs. In fact, Wincing the Night Away is, in some ways, a better album than its predecessor. It's certainly bigger and more symphonic than Chutes Too Narrow. Album opener "Sleeping Lessons" starts off relatively low-key, with a simple looped keyboard before building to an explosive finish. First single "Phantom Limb" is their catchiest song yet, packed with reverb-rich vocals and sunny, Beach Boys-inspired harmonies. Throughout, the Shins seem more comfortable and willing to take advantage of their no-doubt bigger recording budget, from the layered, 1960's-style American pop of "Turn On Me" to the sound loops and samples of "Spilt Needles". Wincing the Night Away is the sound of the Shins spreading their wings, and it positively soars. --Ted Kord

Customer Reviews

beautiful sing along indie pop
clealry one of the highlights of 2007 this band go from strength to strength. beautiful sing along indie pop with standout tracks Phantom Limb and Sealegs approaching perfection.

Fusion Cooking !

What a gem ! These boys really know how to fuse the myriad pop/rock sounds of the past 40 years and cook up a near masterpiece.
The Shins melodic sound is far away from the riffy grunge sound which came out of their home town of Seattle.Rather...it is an accessible harmonious clean vocal sound mixed with jangling guitars and boosted drum beat which at times echo no lesser outfits than The Beach Boys or REM.
Up tempo or acoustic mood shifters...the songs melt on the ears like warm honey.
Seattle do nicely !

one of the albums of 2007
I thought their last album 'chutes' was great but this was a step in a more dance / beats direction. I had already read a couple of very good reviews before unleashing this in my stereo. I have to say it's completely brilliant. Every song on this album has an instant likeability to it. The singers voice and words are so spot on you cant help but lavish in the beauty and effervescence of the songs. Stick this on after you've had a bad day at the office and you'll soon be back in the zone. Standout tracks: australia, red rabbits