In House #1790: The Shins' Wincing the Night Away; New Rob Crow

Approaching four years since the release of their previous effort, Chutes Too Narrow, The Shins return tomorrow with Wincing the Night Away, their third full-length out on Sub Pop. Perhaps the pressure of being declared life changing music in a major motion picture had something to do with it, but the band has clearly been refashioning themselves along the lines of a template that includes an 80's jangle reminiscent of The Smiths or even XTC, to go alongside previously-established leanings in the direction of The Beach Boys and The Beatles. While The Shins still manage to sound like The Shins-- and how could you not with James Mercer singing the songs-- there's a discernible difference that doesn't exist between their first two albums. Less immediately mind-blowing, there's a quiet complexity to many of these songs that rewards upon repeated listenings. "Sea Legs," is a vamp of sorts that fans will likely be shocked to hear, while "Split Needles," is a synth-layered mid-tempo tune with the kind of catchy, minor-key chorus for which the band has been known. It's a tweaking of the formula as opposed to a reinvention, in other words, an addition at home in The Shins catalog as much as it stands opposed. After playing Letterman tomorrow night, the band will be touring extensively, including dates in Salt Lake City (In the Venue, Feb. 16th) and Boise (Egyptian Theatre, Feb. 17th).

The Shins

In House #1790.
Airdate: 1/22/07
Focus: New release out tomorrow from The Shins, Wincing the Night Away, plus new music from Rob Crow, Modest Mouse, The Good, The Bad, & The Queen, Menomena, and more.

BONUS MP3-
The Shins, from Wincing the Night Away:
"Phantom Limb" (MP3)

Clinic, from Visitations: "Family" (MP3)


PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #242

Get The Shins' Wincing the Night Away at Insound.