The Shins have been around for more than a decade, yet they have remained faithful to their stylized indie rock with a sound that fluctuates between upbeat and miserable, all the while remaining wonderfully melodic.
Frontman James Mercer's distinctive voice sets The Shins apart from the plethora of indie bands that all rose to fame around the same time. The Shins' early tour with Modest Mouse seems to have had a direct influence on their sound, playing a formative role in helping the group carve out its sonic niche. The fact that Modest Mouse's drummer, Joe Plummer, is performing with The Shins on their 2012 tour reinforces this point.
"Port of Morrow" is The Shins' fourth album and their first in five years. There is very little change in their overall direction, which will come as a relief to any hardcore fan. They have a unique ability to create a record that blends melancholy and revelry in equal parts, giving the listener a diverse range of moods in a short listening session.
Album opener "The Rifle's Spiral" is fast?paced and almost cheerful, due to the catchy drumbeat and rhythms that inspire toe?tapping at the very least. Mercer's voice takes on an optimistic tone when accompanied by such jazz?inspired instrumentals, setting a jovial atmosphere for the album even as Mercer sings such contrasting lyrics as, "You're not invisible now/ You just don't exist."
The first single to be released off the new album, "Simple Song," has not disappointed eager fans so far. Less upbeat than the opener, it nonetheless follows through with melodies weaving in and out of each other and Mercer's voice somehow taking on a distinct, almost inhuman timbre. The song is not too impressive until it reaches the chorus, when Mercer sings, "I know that things can really get rough/ When you go it alone/ Don't go thinking you've gotta be tough/ And play like a stone." Wise words from the indie king of melancholia.
It has to be said that although the entirety of the album is enjoyable, the first two songs are definitely the ones that stand out. It seems somewhat wasteful to have used the album's best two tracks up so quickly. "Bait and Switch" returns to the quick pace of the first track and is most definitely a classic Shins song. Mercer's impressive range and the undulating guitar patterns that pervade the background of the song make it one of the album's other highlights.
The main difference between this album and The Shins' earlier work is its production. In the space of time since The Shins released their last album, James Mercer has worked with Danger Mouse on their joint project, Broken Bells, issuing a debut album and an EP. Mercer's experimentation during this time allowed for a more confident and streamlined sound on the new Shins album.
"September" is an example of this change in sound; new instruments round out their sound to a degree that undeniably showcases their maturation as a band. The lyrics paint a mystical picture that is heightened by the supporting vocals. Once again, Mercer's unique voice adds an element to The Shins' music that not many bands' front men can provide, particularly as he coos, "Under our softly burning lamp/ She takes her time/ Telling stories of our possible lives/ And love is the ink in the well when her body writes."
"For a Fool" starts with a twanging guitar, later filling out with a conglomeration of instruments that melds perfectly with Mercer's vocals. Jessica Dobson on the guitar provides a slow, rippling effect that permeates every layer of the song. "40 Mark Strasse" is another song that builds up to a wholly gratifying chorus. The title track, "Port of Morrow," concludes the album with a bluesy sound that showcases Mercer's falsetto.
When listened to as a whole, "Port of Morrow" fits together so well because The Shins have a way of making each song markedly different while still pursuing a common cause throughout the entire album. It may be said too often, but The Shins are definitely one of the foremost indie rock bands currently in existence.
