It’s tough for bands to maintain the purity of a live, raw sound once they’re signed by the labels, recording in superior studios with a plethora of production options. It’s easy to get carried away with over producing an album, too many bells and whistles, too much touch up and perfection. Well, The Shins are a band whose music is raw and meaningful and energetic without sounding particularly raw or untidy. They’re a clean Indie rock band with a great mix of upbeat and slow songs.
The first track, Kissing The Lipless, is an all-star pop song. The lyrics have a unique poetic quality for rock music these days (especially amidst the contemporary punk swamping) and the vocals are killer. The one track people may have heard, though, is So Says I, which is the single released off the album. It’s like a 60’s throwback pop tune with arpeggio guitar chords, cool keyboard notes and a pleasant vocal sound that prods the feet to tap, tap, tap. All things considered, The Shins are a fun rock act who have found the balance between catchy pop and lyrical creativity. “but secretly, I want to bury you in the yard…”
HOME RUNS:
Kissing The Lipless- see above for details
So Says I- see above for details
Saint Simon- beautiful ballad, lush harmonies underneath a pretty melody
HITS: Young Pilgrims, Pink Bullets, Turn A Square, Gone For Good
FOULS: Fighting In A Sack, Those To Come
OUTS: Mine's Not A High Horse
By: Cousy
