Critiques CD: The Shins | Port of Morrow

Since all members of The Shins during their years with Sub Pop have abandoned ship – excluding mastermind James Mercer, of course – there have been complaints from critics and fans alike of a wane in the magic that first shone with 2001’s Oh, Inverted World and gleamed still in 2007’s Wincing the Night Away. Indeed, Mercer’s latest – and his first release on his own label – is befell by a seemingly inevitable tiredness following multiple consecutive successes. The sound consists of a lackluster interpretation of blues and Americana, with the exception of single “Simple Song”, a too-literal regurgitation of Chutes Too Narrow (2003). Unfortunately, the lyrics lack the poetic complexity and the juxtaposition of profound, sometimes dark themes with upbeat instrumentation that fans fell in love with on albums past.