The Shins
Port Of Morrow
Aural Apothecary (2012)
Spring has arrived. The sun pours through the sky. Pollen blankets the surroundings. The streets suddenly become more occupied. Much has happened in the world since last spring. Even more has occurred in the five years passed since we were last offered a new album from The Shins, a band whose spring-like sound sonically reflects the seasonal transference.In the world of James Mercer, the leading creative force behind The Shins – and sole remaining member of his band – those years were industrious. With time on his hands apart from The Shins, Mercer endeavored with Danger Mouse, releasing two albums under the moniker Broken Bells, fired his original drummer, Jesse Sandoval, and created his own record label, Aural Apothecary.By now, The Shins have been solidified as one of the new millennium’s definitive indie rock bands, with exposure credit due to their friends and early tour mates Modest Mouse. In fact, it’s Modest Mouse drummer, Joe Plummer, who replaced Sandoval behind the kit for both the latest recording and tour of Port of Morrow.This latest release from The Shins reflects the sort of busy lifestyle Mercer seems engaged in. Featuring more electronic instrumentation than prior Shins albums, and sleekly polished production, … Read more
