The Shins

January 19, 2007

More than three years after Chutes Too Narrow, James Mercer and his mates have finally followed up that indie-rock touchstone. Because Mercer is adored for his musical facility, not his thematic depth, anything short of a Metal Machine Music homage will be ecstatically received, and Wincing the Night Away certainly is that. The melodies are very nearly on a 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.

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