The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

The Shins’ last release, Wincing the Night Away, confirmed the band’s success in the underground world with a collection of songs that were both
eclectic and humanly relatable. The soft, enchanting musicality of the
album is part of what came to identify The Shins. Returning after five years
with Port of Morrow, original member
and now the only one left, James Mercer, collaborated with production guru Greg
Kurstin on his latest endeavour.

The Shins found their extent of mainstream
success after Natalie Portman promised that ‘New Slang’ would change Zach
Braff’s life in the film ‘Garden State’. Since then, the band has been reduced
to front-man Mercer on his own. The newly released album invites several guest
characters to complete its overall pop-rock sound, however it is Mercer that
does all the singing and song writing, as well as playing most of the
instruments. Different from previous releases, Port of Morrow, is the first album to be produced by a large-scale
record label (Columbia) and as a result the sound is just that; more produced.

The opening track, ‘The Rifle’s Spiral’
gives us Mercer’s signature, utterly recognisable voice but you can immediately
tell how different this album is going to be. Unmistakably a mesh of pop, rock
and distorted riffs, the overall sound is The Shins but in a different
dimension; their psychedelic tendencies echoing in the background. ‘Simple
Song’ is equally piled up with instruments and lyrics that give us advice like ‘you
sure must be strong when you feel like an ocean warmed by the sun’ or he
reassures us that ‘I know that things can really get rough when you go it alone’.
Guitar riffs run back and forth, evocative of an 80s pop anthem; a piano
appears jangling in the background before the whole song takes a step back;
Mercer’s voice deepens, calms, and speaks more than sings. There’s an influx of
sounds and varying musical approaches, switching from one to the other in no
specific order or logic.

The hungry sounds of rock and pop infused
together take a back seat with songs like ‘It’s Only Life’ where the beat is
slowed and his singing almost romantic, with backing vocals oohing and aahing;
as though someone is swaying a lighter side to side. ‘I’ve been down the road
you’re walking now, it doesn’t have to be so dark and lonesome’ are more words
of guidance, however it crosses the line of sweet and endearing to almost
become cheesy.

‘September’ speaks much of The Shin’s
original language; mellow with wispy riffs and soothing strumming. Mercer sings
in a much more attractive deeper key and their signature psychedelic nuances
speckle the undertones. Having gotten married over the past few years, this
track seems to speak of that experience, sounding much like a love ballad with
lines like ‘love is the ink in the well when her body dries’. In a similar
fashion ‘For A Fool’ is also more relaxed; rich in lurching riffs and
reflective melodies.

There is no question that the official
Shin, James Mercer, has an unequivocal sound and musical personality. While we
would have to concede that his previous albums were more endearing and
ultimately hooking, Port of Morrow
is still a nice reminder that even though they’ve been under the radar for
several years, there is always hope for a comeback.