New Music Review: The Shins-Port Of Morrow

The Shins-Port Of Morrow

Columbia

Grade: 7.9 (C+)

Available At: emusic, Amazon MP3 & CD

Ever have that one album that comes along and sound fine poring into your eardrums? Everyone has at one time or another, but how about this question instead. Ever have that one album that comes along and sounds fine pouring into your eardrums...and you take absolutely nothing away from it? It's non-offending, the production is top notch, it sounds great and the hooks are on point to what you want for your latest indie pop-rock purchase. It's the latest album from veteran outfit The Shins called "Port Of Morrow". And after listening to it quite a bit the last two weeks, I've got very little to say about it. It's the definition of "What an Indie Rock album should sound like" but somehow gets lost in translation to me. It's like being in biology and getting ready to dissect the next assignment. Except that assignment is a sponge....not much to find underneath the surface.

In 2012, The Shins have pretty much became a vehicle for front-man James Mercer who ditched his former band mates and got new ones to help out on his new album. His songwriting skills are still there, the same ones I grew accustomed to on 2003's "Chutes Too Narrow". But there was an edginess or at least some type of quirkiness to that album. That's all been smoothed out on "Port Of Morrow". Sure the chorus in "It's Only Life" is bittersweet and thoughtful. "I've been down very road you're walking on/It doesn't have to be dark..." is wonderfully delivered by Mercer in a nice sentimental tone. Songs like "No Way Down" and "Fall Of '82" shimmer with effortless pop perfection. The former sports neat sound effects to the mix and the latter has a nice addition of a mellow trumpet.....But a lot of these songs are hit and miss ("For A Fool" and the title song...no thank you). To be honest, the first single "Simple Song" is a moving anthem with Mercer's lyrics matching the uplifting tone quite nicely. Beyond that, nothing else is moving. In the end, more than half of the songs are quite forgettable. That's a shame because the well thought out production that went into it is for naught.

I'm not totally dismissing "Port Of Morrow". I can see friends and music lovers in general eating up it. I was kind of rooting for Mercer to reach new heights on his own which he has. A spot on SNL, a "Best New Music" nod on Pitchfork, a funny skit over on Funny Or Die...the  hitting it big accolades are all there. Maybe even one of these songs will make it's way to a wireless phone commercial by the end of the year. But it lacks the adventure or sincerity to make it stand out for me. Here's the best way I can describe "Port Of Morrow". You're in a car with four people who all have different musical tastes. And the best solution you have to keep everyone at bay is to put on "Port Of Morrow" for a trip because it's not going to offend anyone. But when you're by yourself, you surely are going to pick something else... be honest, aren't you? A bit disappointing....

JHO Picks: Simple Song, It's Only Life, No Way Down

Source: http://www.jhostation.com/2012/04/new-music-review-shins-port-of-morrow.html

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