Review
The Shins' third studio album, 'Wincing the Night Away,' hit the airwaves on January 23, 2007, blending indie rock, indie pop, and post-punk revival into a radiant sonic collage. The album took shape over a year in studios scattered across Oregon and Washington, revealing the group's knack for experimenting and bending their genre.
Inspired by James Mercer's battle with insomnia—a nod to Sam Cooke’s 'Twistin' the Night Away'—this theme ripples through the album, especially in the haunting opening track, 'Sleeping Lessons.' As you drift through the album, you’ll uncover layers that delve deeply into introspection and emotional exploration.
The music here is diverse and adventurous, stitching together threads of hip hop, psychedelia, Hawaiian folk, new wave, and post-punk. Mercer's production, alongside Joe Chiccarelli, is meticulous and lush, painting each track with a unique palette of sounds. Tracks like 'Sea Legs' and 'Red Rabbits' have that earworm quality, while 'Phantom Limb' and 'Turn On Me' pull you into a reflective, emotional space. And the album’s finale, 'A Comet Appears,' lingers with its haunting French horn, rounding off the journey with a resonant sense of closure.
'Wincing the Night Away' soared commercially and critically, debuting at number two on the Billboard 200 and eventually moving over 622,000 copies in the U.S. It even snagged a Grammy nomination for Best Alternative Music Album. This album stands as a shining example of The Shins' creative flair and ability to craft music that truly resonates with its listeners. - Cleo
