Following a break so James Mercer could hook up with Danger Mouse for Broken Bells, The Shins return with five years between their latest and 2007's Wincing The Night Away. The time off was well spent, with the breezy cool that Natalie Portman promised would "change your life" riding an undercurrent of urgency that suits Mercer's proud vocals well on tracks like, lead-single, "Simple Song". The psychedelic swing of "Bait And Switch" rolls carelessly along while dropping the pace on the gorgeous "It's Only Life" displays their ability to weave vibrant, textured soundscapes as Mercer's melodic vocals sear a permanent mark on your eardrums. The gorgeous shimmer of guitar and buoyant beat of "No Way Down" finds the Mercer's wistful voice bounding carefree along with the band. The mellow title-track and chilled "For A Fool" might give the album a few too many speed bumps, but the more mature slant of the album does nothing to diminish its beauty and lasting appeal.
Seek - "Simple Song", "No Way Down", "It's Only Life"
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