Review: The Shins – “Port Of Morrow”

The Shins are back with a new album and a new lineup. However, does new also mean improved?

“Port Of Morrow” marks the band’s fourth full-length album, the first since 2007’s “Wincing The Night Away.” So much has happened in that span of time for frontman James Mercer, most noticeably a full lineup change prior to The Shins going on hiatus. During said hiatus James Mercer formed the side project, Broken Bells, with famed producer Danger Mouse. Together they’ve released a self-titled album in 2010 as well as an EP, the fantastic “Meyrin Fields EP” released in 2011. Soon, Mercer went back to the well with an “All-New, All-Different” Shins and released “Port Of Morrow” on his own label Aural Apothecary with Columbia Records handling distribution.

So how do the new tunes stack up? From the album’s opening track “The Rifle’s Spiral” one gets the impression that Mercer has decided to continue along with the electronic dalliances of “Wincing.” I personally would’ve been just as content if the track had been left off the album altogether, let alone be the lead track. It really brings nothing to the table. However, once “Simple Song,” the first single off the album kicks in it’s smooth sailing. The song harkens back to the classic Shins sound we’ve all come to know and love so well.

Interestingly enough those first two tracks pretty much set the tone of the album. It’s as almost James Mercer is at odds with himself musically. On one end, he’s got a lot of history with the Shins, which almost seems to exist more as a brand than a fully functioning band. It’s understandable, given the fact that from the very beginning this has always felt like Mercer’s show and his bandmates were merely carrying along his vision. On the other end, his work with Broken Bells has broadened his horizons and he probably wants to move forward. No song is more evident of that than the title track, which is also the album’s closer. If I didn’t know any better I’d think it were a Broken Bells b-side. Despite the polarizing tonal shifts, Mercer really sounds like he’s having a lot of fun with these songs. There’s a certain confidence and bounce in his vocals not heard in a few years, especially on “Bait And Switch” and “No Way Down.”

With each listen I find myself bouncing back and forth between striking a dismissive stance, wishing it sounded more like the Shins of yore or fully embracing the new direction Mercer’s taken. “Port Of Morrow” does very little to reinvent the wheel, but with some renewed focus, The Shins have released yet another great-sounding collection of music.