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With their music referred to as "life-changing" in the popular 2004 film GARDEN STATE, the Shins, already a revered indie-rock band, recorded their third Sub Pop studio album under the weight of high expectations. Finally, in early '07, the group emerged with the strikingly ambitious and accomplished WINCING THE NIGHT AWAY.
On the opening "Sleeping Lessons," woozy keyboard lines and the wavering vocals of frontman James Mercer immediately announce WINCING as a departure, but slowly the drifting atmospherics give way to a guitar-driven rave-up. Much of the record echoes this more expansive sound, with the shimmering "Phantom Limb" hitting a cavernous crescendo, and the dreamy, synth-laden "Red Rabbits" bordering on ambient territory. Of course, the Shins haven't forsaken their knack for pop-perfect tunes, as best evinced by the exuberant "Australia," proving that they can temper newfound experimentalism with the quirky, easy-going charm that garnered them attention in the first place.
Audio Mixer: Joe Chiccarelli.
Recording information: Avast! 2, Seattle, WA; Supernatural Sound, Oregon City, OR; The Aural Apothecary, Portland, OR.
Illustrator: Robert Pierce Mercer.
The Shins: James Mercer (various instruments, programming); Dave Hernandez (guitar); Marty Crandall (bass guitar); Jesse Sandoval.
Personnel: James Mercer (vocals, guitar, banjo, ukulele, synthesizer, percussion); Chris Funk (lap steel guitar, bouzouki, hammer dulcimer); Paloma Griffin (violin); Marty Crandall (organ, synthesizer, percussion); Jesse Sandoval (drums); Anita Robinson (background vocals).
Rolling Stone (p.71) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "The melodies are very nearly on par with the curlicues and knockout drops of the band's breakthrough, and Mercer is still singing so lithe and refined you'd think Ray Charles had never existed."
Spin (p.p.87) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "[W]istful....WINCING is a purposefully low-impact affair. On the gorgeous finale, 'A Comet Appears,' Mercer picks at a nimble guitar line like it's 3 a.m...."
Q (p.100) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[S]uper-smart pop music the way they used to make it 20 years ago....The Shins deliver anthems to little people in troubled times. Life-changing, for sure."
Uncut (p.72) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[E]verything is awash in shimmering production, harmonic flourishes and unexpected textures."
Alternative Press (p.109) - "[T]he bright points are plenty bright..."
Q (Magazine) (p.87) - Ranked #08 in Q's "The 50 Best Albums Of 2007."
Mojo (Publisher) (p.100) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "There are twists, but no clutter, just a gentle lyricism leaving every song lie from the inside. WINCING THE NIGHT AWAY is, on its own quiet terms, a little landmark."
Wincing The Night Away Music
Shins - Wincing The Night Away Songs
Wincing The Night Away Music
Wincing The Night Away Music Review
Average Rating: (4.6 out of 5 stars)    List All 9 Reviews Delightful
I was at a Barnes & Noble and I listened to a clip of the song sleeping lessons and I was enchanted by how the music made me feel. I had never listened to the shins music before. I bought the CD that day and just fell in the love with every song. At first some of the music confused me but the more I listened to it the more I wanted to hear more. Its a great taste of indie alternative music
Submitted by bree_an_ee_uh (Wisconsin)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 1 of 1 found this helpful.
 Good but not Great
I gave this four stars because I love the Shins earlier CDs but this one was a little disappointing. The first five tracks are spectacular because they're energetic and lively. Then it goes downhill from there; the remaining tracks are slow, boring, and lack the oomph of their previous work.
Submitted by Laine (washington dc)
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Fantastic!
Wow, great sounds here. Sealegs is one of just many faves. Sure to be on the alternative radio!
Submitted by carey c (KC, MO, USA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No  unexpected...
while at times this cd feels like classic shins, the majority of the album strays away into new territory for the band. the flow of the album is steady and sweet and the overall feel takes time to get into to understands where the band is coming from and where they want to go. simply brilliant.
Submitted by markgndlf (Riverside, CA, USA)
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My Personal Favorite
Of all their albums this is my favorite. Much more varied than their previous two. 2007 is looking like a good year...
Submitted by Go Flames Go! (Calgary, AB, Canada)
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