The ShinsWincing the Night Away
Indie-pop, Garden State, Natalie Portman, blah blah blah--The Shins are so over-analyzed and overrated that they're practically underrated all over again. Critics either scream in ecstasy or roll their eyes in disgust whenever the Portland, Oregon natives release an album.
"They're too twee, precious, poppy, playful blah blah blah."
Chastising The Shins for sounding too "playful" is like hating on the Dresden Dolls for sounding too "theatric," or knocking Lightning Bolt for their "abrasive" sound. If you like your coffee black, you like it black; nothing could or should change your mind. I like my Shins playful, and Wincing the Night Away gives me my fix while exploring new territory ever so slightly.
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