Album Haiku Review | The Shins “Port Of Morrow”

Rating|3.5/5

Song’s I Can’t Take Off Repeat| “Simple Song,” “The Rifle’s Spiral,” “September”

James Starts Off Rockin

With A Brand New Support Cast

Fizzles At The End.

First off I would like to say James Mercer is The Shins.With a lot of talk about former band members; this is his band. Side note I love Jessica Dobson and her other band from Seattle “Deep Sea Diver.” You need to give them a listen too!

Port of Morrow is a really good album; the first few songs are a kick in the pants. Still can't get enough of "Simple Song" when I hear it on the radio or it comes up on my iPhone I instantly turn it up.

Some of the songs on the album I just don’t get. The title track is just not my cup of tea. The first six songs are fun. The upbeat track on “No Way Down” has my head bopping but still carries Mercer’s distinct “SHINS” style. “September” is a straight up, on the rocks, Shins song. It has everything I love about the Shins; that floaty indie rock sound and Mercer’s vocals.

Like I mentioned the album starts off great and looses me at the 7th song. However I still want to give it a 3.5 out of 5 because it’s a good album. I am going to keep most of it in my iPhone.

I am really excited to hear songs off this album (and hopefully) songs off their other albums at 2012 Sasquatch Music Festival this May!

- Matt Auclair